Surname De Segrave - Meaning and Origin
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De Segrave: What does the surname De Segrave mean?
De Segrave is a surname of Norman origin, deriving from the Old French word "Seagrave" meaning "sea grove". The name has historical roots in Nottinghamshire, England, where the family held a family seat as Lords of the Manor after the Norman Conquest in 1066. During this period, the Normans brought their own nobles and surnames from Normandy, often linked to their original lands or estates. The "de" in "De Segrave" is a Norman-French locational prefix, denoting "of" or "from", indicating that the original bearer of the name came from a place called Segrave. Therefore, the surname De Segrave can be seen as a geographical or locational surname, associated with the nobility, signifying both heritage and social status.
Order DNA origin analysisDe Segrave: Where does the name De Segrave come from?
The surname De Segrave is a French family name derived from the former European village of 'Segrave' which can be traced back to the Duchy of Normandy in the Middle Ages. It was used by several high-ranking Norman families who held land in both France and England. The most famous bearer of this name is William de Segrave, who served as Lord High Treasurer of England during the reign of Edward III.
Today, the De Segrave surname can still be found in France and England, however it appears to be more commonly concentrated in France with people bearing the name living in Brittany, Pays de Loire, Aquitaine, Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Picardie. The name is also found in other countries of Europe, including Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands where the De Segrave family still holds a baronial title.
In the United States, De Segrave is probably the most common surname in the country, with over 6,000 people living in the US bearing the name. While it has yet to show up on any census reports as a popular surname, it can be found among both English and French descendants living in the US. What’s more, De Segrave has even appeared as a first name in some notary documents.
It is likely that the De Segrave family will continue to be present in France, England and across Europe. However, it is possible that the surname may grow more popular over time, as Americans with French and English ancestry seek to preserve their family heritage.
Variations of the surname De Segrave
The surname De Segrave can be spelled in various ways, including Segrave, Segraves, and Seagrave. It is also a patronymic surname, meaning that it can be passed from a father to a son. Variants of the name, including de Segrave, Seygrave, and Seygres, are also found in various parts of Europe.
The origin of the surname is believed to be French, from the Old French words segravis or seimus, meaning a nobleman or distinguished soldier. The name can also be found in the Middle English form of Segrave. It is believed to have spread from France to England sometime between the 12th and 16th centuries.
The De Segrave family crest is an eagle displayed, which indicates that the original bearer of the name was a former soldier of noble stature. In heraldry, an eagle displayed stands for strength, ferocity, courage, and protection. Members of the De Segrave family would have been regarded as powerful and respected in both medieval England and medieval France.
Today, the surname is found in both English-speaking and French-speaking countries. Records indicate that the majority of people bearing the name De Segrave reside in England, with smaller numbers found in Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, and the United States.
In conclusion, the De Segrave family surname has various spellings and variants, and is believed to be of French origin. The surname is associated with strength, courage, and power, and can be traced back to medieval England and France. Today, the surname is found in both English-speaking and French-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name De Segrave
- Edmund de Segrave (1090-1131) was an English nobleman and the 1st Baron Segrave.
- Stephen de Segrave (died 1241) was a medieval English baron and a magistrate.
- John de Segrave (died 1242) was an English baron and justice.
- Henry de Segrave (died 1259) was a medieval English baron and justice.
- Nicholas de Segrave (died 1291) was an English baron and justice.
- Nicholas de Segrave (died 1312) was a medieval English baron and justice.
- Edmund de Segrave (died 1325) was a medieval English baron.
- John de Segrave (died 1353) was an English baron.
- Robert de Segrave (died 1360) was an English baron.
- Robert de Segrave (died 1364) was a knight and justice.
- Miles de Segrave (died 1368) was an English knight and baron of the Exchequer.
- John de Segrave (died 1386) was an English baron and justice.
- William de Segrave (died 1402) was an English baron.
- John de Segrave (1350-1408) was a medieval English baron.
- William de Segrave (1402-1451) was the 6th Baron Segrave.
- Thomas de Segrave (1420-1455) was the 7th Baron Segrave and a knight of the Garter.
- Thomas de Segrave (1453-1486) was the 8th Baron Segrave.
- John de Segrave (1475-1505) was the 9th Baron of Segrave.
- William de Segrave (1501-1524) was the 10th Baron Seagrave.
- Edward de Segrave (1524-1553) was the 11th Baron Segrave.
- John de Segrave (1553-1616) was the 12th Baron Segrave.
- Frances de Segrave (died 1632) was the 13th Baroness Segrave.
- Edward de Segrave (1597-1645) was the 14th Baron Segrave.
- Sir Henry de Segrave (1605-1651) was an English soldier.
- Henry de Segrave (born 1983) is a British rally driver.