An excerpt from www.HouseOfNames.com archives copyright © 2000 -
2013 Where did the English Garthe family come from? What is the
English Garthe family crest and coat of arms? When did the
Garthe family first arrive in the United States? Where did the
various branches of the family go? What is the Garthe family
history? Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a
definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon
surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling
variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the
evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements
of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes
and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is
common to find one person referred to by several different
spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied
the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Garthe
include Garth, Garthe, Girth, Gyrth, Gyrthe, Gart, Gartt and
others. First found in Surrey wh