Cash History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The many generations and branches of the Cash family can all place the origins of their surname with the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name reveals that an early member worked as a maker of boxes or chests. The surname Cash is derived from the Old French word casse, which means case. Thus, Cash is a metonymic type of occupational surname; it is derived from the principal object associated with the occupation, which in this case was the product produced.

Early Origins of the Cash family

The surname Cash was first found in Cambridgeshire 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 Cash family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cash research.

Cash Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Cash were recorded, including Cash, Cass, Cashe and others.

Early Notables of the Cash family (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include: Thomas Cass, carpenter to the Royal Ordnance; in 1665, the family moved to Grove Street, in South Hackney to escape the plague.

Cash Ranking

In the United States, the name Cash is the 947^th most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. [1]

 Cash migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the “open frontiers” of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Cash family emigrate to North America: 

Cash Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• William Cash who settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1667, married and had William and John and five daughters
• Richard Cash, who landed in Maryland in 1676 [2]
• John Cash, who settled in Maryland in 1684

Cash Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Cash, aged 24, who landed in Key West, Fla in 1843 [2]
• Martin Cash, who arrived in Indiana in 1852 [2]
• W Cash, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1860 [2]
• Henry Cash, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1871 [2]

 Cash migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Cash Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. Josiah Cash U.E. who settled in Midland District [Frontenac & Lennox and Addington], Ontario c. 1783 [3]

Cash Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Michael Cash, aged 26, a tilemaker, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig “Matilda” from Cork, Ireland
• Mr. Patrick Cash, aged 22 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship “Syria” departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in July 1847 [4]
• Mr. John Cash, aged 45 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship “John Bolton” departing 13th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board [5]
• Mr. William Cash, aged 4 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship “John Bolton” departing 13th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board [5]

 Cash migration to Australia+

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

Cash Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Cash, British convict who was convicted in Derby, Derbyshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Competitor”18th March 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [6]
• Mr. Peter Cash, (b. 1804), aged 22, Irish farmer who was convicted in County Offaly(Kings County), Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the “Boyne” on 28th October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1847 [7]
• Mr. James Cash, English convict who was convicted in Staffordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Florentia” on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [8]
• John Cash, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Satellite” in 1851 [9]
• George Cash, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship “Satellite” in 1851 [9]

 Cash migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Cash Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Newman Cash, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Hastings” in 1856
• Arthur Cash, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Claramont” in 1863
• Emma Cash, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship “Claramont” in 1863
• Frederick Cash, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Gertrude” in 1868 [10]
• Martin Cash, aged 32, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Halcione” in 1875 [10]

Contemporary Notables of the name Cash (post 1700) +

• Johnny Cash (1932-2003), born J. R. Cash, American country and rock music singer and songwriter, inducted into the Country Music, Rock and Roll and Gospel Music Halls of Fame
• Steve Douglas Cash (1946-2019), American singer-songwriter and author, founding member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils
• Rosalind Cash (1938-1995), American singer and actress
• Jim Cash (1941-2000), American screenwriter
• McKinley Cash, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Alabama, 1960 [11]
• Mary Margaret Cash, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Virginia, 1996 [11]
• John E. Cash, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1952 (alternate), 1956 [11]
• J. J. Cash, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Wyoming, 1916 [11]
• Guy Cash, American politician, Mayor of Lehi, Utah; Elected 1989 [11]
• C. J. Cash, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Iowa, 1928 [1