Washington History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Washington

What does the name Washington mean?

Washington is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Washington family lived in Lancashire, at Washington. The name of this village derives from the Old English word wassingatun, meaning a settlement of the people of Wassa, a personal name which combines Old English elements meaning hunt and victory.

Early Origins of the Washington family

The surname Washington was first found in Durham at Washington, a parish, in the union of Chesterle-Street, E. division of Chester ward. It is said that from this parish rose the stock that George Washington, the American patriot claims descent. 1 2 There is another parish named Washington in Sussex.

Washington Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Washington include Washington, Washingtone and others.

Early Notables of the Washington family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

• John Wessington (d. 1451), Prior of Durham, “was possibly born at, and took his name from, a village in the county of Durham, now known as Washington. ” 3
• Reverend Lawrence Washington (1602-1653), was an English rector, and the great-great-grandfather of George Washington
• John Washington (c. 1631-1677), an English Virginia planter and politician from Purleigh, Essex, ancestor and great-grandfather of George Washington, first president of the United States of America; a…
• Augustine Washington (1694-1743) was the father of the first U.S. President George Washington who belonged to the Colony of Virginia’s landed gentry and was a planter and a slaveholder