Nash Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Nash Origin:

English

Origins of Name:

The surname of Nash has a medieval English origin, and comes from a topographical location. It is said that the surname of Nash is used to describe someone who “lived at or near an ash tree.” The ash tree was significant in ancient history, and was even considered magical, potentially because of all of the possible uses for this type of tree and type of wood. It is also said that local tribes and groups would hold their meetings at an ash tree, which became a common place for business to be conducted, and court proceedings to be held at this magical tree. It is also said that this type of tree, the ash tree, was used to separate the borders of tribe lands. Thus, these trees would be planted to provide boundary markers between differing tribal territories. The surname of Nash, being topographical, was one of the earliest created surnames. In the 13th century, topographical names were created to identify those who lived by natural and man-made features, because these features were easily recognizable and distinguishable in small communities in the Middle Ages.

Variations:

More common variations are:

Naish, Nashe, Nasha, Nyash, Nashi, Nasho, Nashy, Nashu, Nasch, Knash

History:

England:

The first recorded spelling of the surname of Nash was in Oxfordshire, England. One person named Adnes Ate Nasse was recorded in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire in the year of 1273, which was under the reign of King Edward the 1st of England, who ruled from the year 1272 to the year 1307. As the years passed, more recordings of the surname surfaced in old documents. In 1273, William ate Nasche and John ater Aysse were both noted in the Subsidy Rolls of the county of Sussex, while Henry Aten Assche was noted in the Worcestershire in 1301, and Alan Tassh, was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in the year 1327. In 1611, Elizabeth Tash was christened at St. Dunstan’s in the East, Stepney, which Alice Nash and Edward Sproson were married at St. Giles Church, Cripplegate, city of London, on August 15, in the year of 1611. It is important to note that in recent times, this surname has become Tash, in various forms, and this is a recognized version of this surname. In England, those with the surname of Tash are from the Worcestershire area, but have since begun appearing in the southeastern region of England, and largely concentrated within the city of London.

United States of America:

During the early part of the 17th century, it became common for settlers from Europe, specifically England, to move from their home country in search of a new life. These people were often seeking freedom from religious persecution, as well as a better life, with better living conditions. These people sought out this new life in the United States of America, which at that time was called the New World or the Colonies. The first person to make it to the United States to start their new life was one Gregory Nash, who landed in Charleston, Massachusetts in 1630, and later settled in the city of Salem, Massachusetts. In the United States, those who bear the surname of Nash are often found in the states of Texas, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York.

Nash Today:

United States 67,107

England 23,381

Australia 8,266

South Africa 5,662

Ghana 5,512

Canada 5,549

Philippines 3,609

Kenya 3,296

Uganda 2,987

Iraq 2,279

Notable People:

Belinda Jacqueline Nash (1946-2016) who was an American historian, author and activitist

John Lester “Johnny” Nash Jr. (born in 1940) who was an African-American reggae singer songwriter, best known as being the artist of the 1972 comeback hit “I Can See Clearly Now”

John Francis Nash (1909-2004) who was a railroad executive from America

John Forbes Nash Jr. (1928-2015) who was the inspiration for the movie A Beautiful Mind and was an American mathematician who won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994, and was the co-recipient of the Abel Prize in 2015

Francis Nash (1742-1777) who was an American general in the Continental Army and was a namesake of Nashville, Tennessee

Odgen Nash (1902-1971) who was an American humorist and poet

Royton Hulbert Nash (1933-2016) who was an English conductor, best know as a music director of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company

John Henry Nash (1906-1977) who was an English cricket administrator

John Henry Nash (1867-1939) who was an English Footballer who played for the Burslem Port Vale in the 1890’s era

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) (Woodstock, co. Oxford; Michael Nash, Esq., of Old Woodstock, Visit. Oxon, 1574, son of John Nash; arms on a stone in Bicester Church). Az. on a chev. betw. three eagles’ heads erased ar. a pellet betw. four crosses crosslet sa.
2) (Maitley, Claines, and Droitwich, co. Worcester. Visit. 1634. Dr. Treadway Russell Nash, the historian of co. Worcester, succeeded to the representation of the family at the death of his elder brother, Richard Nash, D.D., and d. 1811 ; his only dau. and heiress, Margaret, m. John, first Earl Somers. Arms recorded in Visit, of 1634). Sa. on a chev. betw. three greyhounds statant ar. as many sprigs of ash slipped vert; as generally borne: Vert a chev. betw. three greyhounds courant ar. Crest—A greyhound courant ar.
3) (The Noak, Martley, co. Worcester; confirmed, 1841, to James Nash, M.D., of the Noak, great-grandson of James Nash, Esq., of Bedford Court, of the family of Richard Nash, the historian of co. Worcester). Motto—ln utroque fidelis Per fesse vert and sa. in chief a chev. betw. three greyhounds courant, and in base on a chev. betw. as many greyhounds statant ar. a like number of sprigs of ash ppr. Crest—Upon a mount vert a greyhound courant ar. charged on the body with an erm. spot sa. in the mouth a sprig of ash ppr.
4) (Lord Mayor of London, 1772). Az. on a chev. betw. three ravens’ heads erased ar. a pellet betw. four crosses crosslet sa. Crest—An arm erect, couped at the elbow, vested az. cuffed ar. holding in the hand ppr. an acorn branch vert fructed ppr.
5) (Reg. Ulster’s Office). Gu. three doves ar. membered or, each holding in the beak an olive branch vert.
6) (Reg. Ulster’s Office, as the arms of William Nash, Esq., temp. Charles II., whose dau., Phillis Nash, m. Jons Macnamara, Esq., of Kilkeshan, co. Clare). Or, a tricorporate lion ramp. issuing out of the dexter and sinister chief points and the base, all meeting under one head in the fess point sa.
7) Sa. on a chev. betw. three greyhounds courant ar. as many sprigs of ashen leaves ppr.
8) Or, a tricorporated lion issuing out of three corners of the escutcheon, all meeting under one head in the fess point az.