George / Coat of Arms, Family Crest and George / Family History

George / Family History

The family history of the ancient name George was found in the irishsurnames.com archives.

Surnames developed a wide number of variants over the centuries. Many different spelling variations of the same name can be traced back to a single original root. Also, when a bearer of a name emigrated from Ireland it was not uncommon that their original name would be incorrectly transcribed in the record books upon arrival at their new location. Some names have dozens of spelling variations. Some Surnames were also altered over the years based on how they sounded phonetically, by their sound, and depending on the prevailing political conditions it may have been advantageous to change a name from one language to another. This was especially so in Ireland where most Gaelic names were 'anglicized' at some stage.

Variants of the name George include McGeorge, Gorges, Georges and Georgeson. This name was borne of a Saint martyred at Nicomedia in the year 303 A.D. In mediaeval times the name came sharply into vogue with the prominence of the famous Saint George in 1415. This name is of Anglo-Norman descent spreading to Ireland, Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts in these countries. Examples of such are a Robert Gorge, Oxford, and a William Gorge, Cambridge, who were recorded in the 'Hundred Rolls', England, in the year 1273. In Scotland a William Georgeson was tenant of part of 'Coupar Grange' in the year 1471. The name George in Ireland is usually of immigrant origin having been introduced into the Province of Ulster by settlers from England and Scotland, especially during the seventeenth century. Earlier references to the name are found in County Waterford where Georgestown still exists.The George family crest (or coat of arms) came into existence many centuries ago. The process of creating these coats of arms began as early as the eleventh century although a form of Proto-Heraldry may have existed in some countries prior to this, including Ireland. The new more formalized art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own family crest, coat of arms, including George descendants.