Show ContentsErlewine History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Erlewine is tied to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It comes from Aylwin, or Aedelwine, or Alduine, or Elduinus, all Old English personal names. They all have a similar meaning: noble friend; or sometimes elf friend.

Early Origins of the Erlewine family

The surname Erlewine was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Erlewine family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Erlewine research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Erlewine History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Erlewine Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Erlewine has undergone many spelling variations, including Elwyn, Elwin, Elwine, Elwyne, Elwon and others.

Early Notables of the Erlewine family

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

Migration of the Erlewine family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Erlewine were among those contributors: Anne Elwyn who settled in Maryland in 1741; Michael Elwine arrived in Philadelphia in 1809.


Contemporary Notables of the name Erlewine (post 1700) +

  • Michael Erlewine (b. 1941), American musician, astrologer, photographer who founded All Music Guide (now known as Allmusic) in 1991
  • Stephen Thomas "Tom" Erlewine (b. 1973), American music critic and senior editor for AllMusic, nephew of Michael Erlewine


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