Hi everyone, Here is a copy of the results of a commercial surname research request, obtained by one of my cousins. She didn't say who she had purchase it from, however thought you all might enjoy. Now I myself can document Renshaw's as early as 1620's in the USA. - Gwen The Ancient History of the Distinguished Surname Renshaw The- most- ancient -surname of Renshaw makes an impressive claim to being one of the oldest Anglo / Saxon surnames on record. The history of -the name is closely woven into the intricate tapestry of the ancient chronicles of England. Professional -researchers have carefully scrutinized such ancient manuscripts as the Doomsday Book (1086), the Ragman Rolls, (1291-1296), the Curia Regis Rolls, The Pipe Rolls the Hearth Rolls, parish registers, baptism's, tax records and, other ancient documents and found the first record of the name Renshaw in Lancashire, where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early - Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Many different spellings were encountered in the research of your surname. Although your name, Renshaw, occurred in manuscripts and documents, from time to time the surname was also officially spelled Renshaw, Olerenshaw, and these variations in spelling frequently occurred, even between father & son. Scribes and church officials, often traveling great distances, even from other countries, frequently spelt the names they were recording as they heard it. As a result the same person could find different spellings of the name recorded on birth, baptismal, marriage and death certificates as well as the other numerous records such as tax and census records. The Saxon race gave, birth to many English surnames not the least of which was the surname Renshaw. The Saxons were invited into England by the ancient Britons, in the 5th century. They were a race of fair skinned people living along the Rhine valley as far northeast as Denmark They were led General / Commander Hengist Horsa. The Saxons settled in the county of Kent, on the southeast coast of England Gradually, they probed north And westward, and during the next four hundred years forced the ancient Britons back into Wales and Cornwall in the west; Cumberland to the north. The Angles, on the other hand, occupied the eastern coast, the south folk In Suffolk, north folk in Norfolk. Under Saxon rule England prospered under a series of High Kings, the last of which was Harold. In 1066, the Norman invasion from France occurred and their victory at the Battle of Hastings. Subsequently, many of the vanquished Saxon land owners forfeited their land to Duke William and his invading Norman nobles. Generally, the Saxons who remained in the south were not treated well under Norman rule, and many-moved northward to the midlands, Lancashire and Yorkshire away from Norman oppression. This notable English family name, Renshaw, emerged as an influential name in the county of Lancashire where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated as Lords of the manor of Renshaw and estates in that shire, just outside Liverpool, they being neighbors of the Bolds. They branched to Derbyshire where they named their estates Renishaw. By the 16th century a branch of the family had headed north into Scotland. Meanwhile their seat remained at Renshaw Hall in Lancashire. They flourished on their estates for several centuries, intermarrying with other distinguished families of the area. Notable amongst the family at this time was Renshaw of Renshaw Hall. During the Middle Ages the surname Renshaw flourished and played an important role in local affairs and in the Political development of England. During the 15th, 16th, l7th, and 18th centuries, England was ravaged by plagues and religious conflict. Puritanism, the newly found political fervor of Cromwellianism, and the remnants of the Roman Church rejected all non-believers, each promoting their own cause. The conflicts between Church groups, the Crown and political groups all claimed their followers, and their impositions tithes, and demands on rich and poor alike broke the, spirit of men and many turned away from religion. Many families were freely encouraged, to migrate to Ireland, or to the "colonies". Some were, rewarded with grants of lands, others were banished. Some families were forced to migrate to Ireland. Where they became known as the "Adventurers for land in Ireland". Protestant settlers undertook to keep their faith, being granted lands previously owned by the Catholic Irish. They were known as the "Undertakers" There is no evidence that the family name migrated to Ireland, but this does, not -preclude the possibility of there scattered migration to that country". The New World offered -better opportunities and some migrated voluntarily, some were banished mostly for religious, reasons. Some left Ireland disillusioned, but many left directly from England, their home territories. Some- also moved to the European continent. Members of the family name Renshaw sailed aboard the huge armada of three masted sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships such as the Hector, the Dove and the Rambler, were pestilence ridden, sometimes 30% to 40% of the passenger list never reaching their destination, their numbers reduced by dysentery, cholera, small pox and typhoid. In North America, included amongst the first migrants which could be considered a kinsman of the surname Renshaw, or a variable - spelling of that family name was Henry Renshaw settled in Virginia in 1763 with his wife Isabella; Christopher Renshaw arrived in Philadelphia in 1750; David, Francis, Hugh, James, William Renshaw a arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1870. >From the port of entry many settlers made their way west, joining the wagon trains to the prairies or to the West Coast. During the War of Independence, many loyalists made their way north to Canada about 1790, and became as the United Empire Loyalists. Contemporary notables of this surname, Renshaw, include many distinguished contributors; Sir Charles Renshaw of East Dereham in Norfolk. During, the course of our research we also determined the many Coats of Arms granted to different branches of the family name. The most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was; Silver and black - with the heraldic birds all counterchallenged. The Crest is; A silver crescent within a gold crescent.