This unusual and interesting surname, of Anglo-Saxon origin, is locational from places so called in Cumberland and Sussex. The derivation of Sedwick in Cumberland is from the Old Norse "siggi" or Olde English pre 7th Century "sicg", both meaning victory, plus the Olde English "wic", an outlying settlement of a dairy farm. However, Sedgewick Castle in Nuthurst, Sussex derives from the Olde English "secg", sedge (materials used for thatching), which presumably grew in abundance in that area. The variants include Sedgewick(e), Sedwick and Sidg(e)wick. The surname dates back to the late 14th Century (see below). Recordings from London Church Registers include: the marriage of Richard Sedgwick and Elizabeth Ayler on December 27th 1563, at St. Dunstan in the East, and the marriage of Jeffrey Segwick and Elizabeth Newby on July 17th 1575, at St. Mary Magdalene, Old Fish Street. An early namebearer to settle in the New World Colonies was Marie Sedgwick, who sailed from London aboard the "Speedwell" bound for Virginia in May 1635. In all Saints, Cockermouth, Cumberland, one Nancy Sedgwick, daughter of Samuel Sedgwick, was christened on September 5th 1750. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas de Sigeswik, which was dated 1379, in the "Poll Tax Returns of Yorkshire", during the reign of King Richard 11, known as "Richard of Bordeaux", 1377 - 1399. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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