The surname Washington is of English origin.The name is derived from a habitational name from either of the places so called, in Tyne and Wear and in West Sussex (England). The name is derived from the Old English ‘Wassingtun’, signifieing settlement of the people of Wassa; itself a personal name apparently representing the short form of the Old English name ‘Waosige’, composed of the elements ‘wao’ hunt and ‘sige’ victory. The name dates as far back as the thirteenth century, were a Ralph de Wassingeton is recorded in historical archives. The name was brought to America by English immigrants. One of the first forefathers to bring this name to America is that of a, John Washington; he settled in Virginia in 1656. The first president of the United States of America bore this name,George Washington (1732-99), he was born at Bridges Creek, Virginia.His great grandfather had settled in the colony after emigrating from Dillicar in Westmorland in 1658, after the family’s fortunes had suffered in the English Civil War because of its Royalist sympathies.His earliest recorded ancestor was William de Hertburn,who served the bishop of Durham and who …
Coat of arms: Argent, on a …