Sanwich History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Sanwich family

The surname Sanwich was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.

One of the first records of the family was Henry de Sandwich (died 1273), bishop of London, was son of Sir Henry de Sandwich, a knight of Kent. "Ralph de Sandwich was probably his brother. He is perhaps the Henry de Sandwich, clerk, who had license to hold an additional benefice, with cure of souls, on 7 June 1238." 1

Later Ralph de Sandwich (d. 1308?), was an English judge, probably brother of Henry de Sandwich, Bishop of London. "He was a knight, lord of lands in Ham and Eynsham, and patron of the church of Waldesham, all in Kent. During the reign of Henry III he was appointed keeper of the wardrobe. In 1264 he withdrew from the king and joined the confederate barons, and on 7 May 1265 Simon de Montfort-Thomas de Cantelupe, the chancellor, being otherwise occupied - committed the great seal to Sandwich." 1

Early History of the Sanwich family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sanwich research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1286, 1288, 1293, 1306, 1342, 1430, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Sanwich History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sanwich Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Sanwich has been recorded under many different variations, including Sandwich, Sanwick, Sanwich, Sanwiche, Sandwiche, Sandicke and many more.

Early Notables of the Sanwich family

More information is included under the topic Early Sanwich Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sanwich family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Sanwich or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Citations +

Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print