Devonish History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the Devonish surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived near a body of water derived from the Old English word that means deep waters.

Early Origins of the Devonish family

The surname Devonish was first found in Sussex where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Devonish family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Devonish research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Devonish History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Devonish Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Devonish include Devenish, Devonish, Devanay, Devenay, Deveney, Devenney, Devenny, O'Devanny, O'Devenish, O'Devonish and many more.

Early Notables of the Devonish family

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

Migration of the Devonish family to Ireland

Some of the Devonish family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Devonish migration to the United States +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Devonish Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Vertue Devonish, who landed in Maryland in 1657 1

Devonish migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Devonish Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

James Devonish, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1849 aboard the ship "Calphurnia" 2
Jos. Devonish, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Calphurnia" in 1849 2

The Devonish Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spero et captivus nitor
Motto Translation: I hope, and though a captive I strive.

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The CALPHURNIA 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Calpurnia.htm