Show ContentsElswick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Elswick family

The surname Elswick was first found in Durham, at Elwick, a township, in the parish of Hart, union of Stockton. "Robert de Brus gave 'Ailewic' in 'Hertenes,' in frank marriage with his daughter Agatha, to Ralph, son of Ribald, of Middleham." 1

Records of the family are scant. The first record of the family was found in the Register of Freemen of the City of York in 1512 where Ralph Elwick was listed. John Ellyk was also listed in the same source in 1569. 2 Elwick Hall is a nearby parish.

Early History of the Elswick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elswick research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Elswick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elswick Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Elswick include Elwick, Elswick, Elwyke, Elwike, Elswell, Ellswell, Ellswick and many more.

Early Notables of the Elswick family

More information is included under the topic Early Elswick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elswick Ranking

In the United States, the name Elswick is the 9,033rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Elswick family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.


Contemporary Notables of the name Elswick (post 1700) +

  • John Elswick, American pastor at Poplar Ridge Free Will Baptist Church in Bidwell, Ohio
  • Justin Elswick, American producer and composer, known for his electronic music recording project named Sleepthief


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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