The Seagraves Family, The California branch: who we are and where we came from.: Different spellings of the name Seagraves

Monday, November 08, 2004

Different spellings of the name Seagraves

There are some 40 odd spellings of our name; some the name just got mis-spelled, usually because of the great many of the early Americans who were illiterate, and couldn't even spell their own name, and would leave a mark! Ususally an X, after someone else wrote their name as it sounded!
Here are some examples as follows:

Segrave

Seagraves

Seagrave

Seagrove

Seagroves

Hargraves

Seagram

C-grave

C-graves

(I'm assuming these last two are typo-os)

Grave

Graves

Which begs a question?

If Graves is actually Seagraves,

did my Grandmother who is a Graves

marry her cousin who was a Seagraves?

But since there are Graves

that are separate from the Seagraves,

maybe not! Anyway I hope not!

(Well anyway! You get the idea!)

There is also what I got called in school!:

Seahorse

Seagram

Seaweed

and

My lest favorite

Sea-snott!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: My great grandfather Peter Segrave, spelled Segriff entering NY,... came from Ireland in the 1850's..He went on to enter the Fighting Irish Brigade of NY in the Civil War. His brother Lawrence was in the Fighting 69yh.

Passed down through the family and confirmed through Joyce House and the College of Arms, he and his ancestors were the de Segraves (Saugrabh in Irish)of old Cabra, (now Dublin)His ancestor was Chief Baron to the Exchequer of Ireland. Also Stephen de Segrave, Archbishop of Armargh The family ancestry was traced by the above Houses back to John de Segrave c . 1256—1325, whom you mention. In the persecution of Catholics in Ireland they lost everything.

you can contact me at edwards976@aol.com

edward seagriff; 11:26 PM
Anonymous said...: one last thing, Peter was able to read and write. We have his signatures on his documents.

the family line is full of Johns, Edwards, Stephen,

ed seagriff; 11:30 PM
Janice Seagraves said...: Hi Ed,

That's great, thank you for sharing that infromation.

Janice~; 7:00 PM

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Seagraves Family HistSeagraves Coat of Arms / Seagraves Family Crestory

The surname of SEAGRAVES was a locational name 'of Seagrove' a spot in County Leicestershire. Following the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries, a need was felt for a family name to replace the one given at birth, or in addition to it. This was recognized by those of noble birth, and particularly by those who went on the Crusades, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour. Local names usually denoted where a man held his land, and indicated where he actually lived. Early records mention Thomas de Segraua, 1180, County Leicestershire. William Seagrave was documented in County Notttingham in the year 1300. Edward Segrave of Yorkshire, was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. The name is also spelt Seagrief, Seagrove and Seagrave. In many parts of central and western Europe, hereditary surnames began to become fixed at around the 12th century, and have developed and changed slowly over the years. As society became more complex, and such matters as the management of tenure, and in particular the collection of taxes were delegated to special functionaries, it became imperative to distinguish a more complex system of nomenclature to differentiate one individual from another. The origin of badges and emblems, are traced to the earliest times, although, Heraldry, in fact, cannot be traced later than the 12th century, or at furthest the 11th century. At first armorial bearings were probably like surnames and assumed by each warrior at his free will and pleasure, his object being to distinguish himself from others. It has long been a matter of doubt when bearing Coats of Arms first became hereditary. It is known that in the reign of Henry V (1413-1422), a proclamation was issued, prohibiting the use of heraldic ensigns to all who could not show an original and valid right, except those 'who had borne arms at Agincourt'. The College of Arms (founded in 1483) is the Royal corporation of heralds who record proved pedigrees and grant armorial bearings.