Flewelling History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales

The Flewelling surname is derived from the Welsh personal name Llewellyn, which was also spelled Llywelin. This name is often explained as meaning lion-like, but is in fact probably derived from the Welsh word "llyw," which means leader. The Welsh double l was a constant source of trouble to English speakers, and was often translated "f." "A very ancient Welsh personal name, borne by many princes and magnates of Celtic origin." 1

Early Origins of the Flewelling family

The surname Flewelling was first found in Pembrokeshire (Welsh: Sir Benfro), a county in south-west Wales, anciently part of the Welsh kingdom of Deheubarth. The most famous and oldest reference of the name was Dafydd ap Llywelyn (c.1212-1246), Prince of Gwynedd from 1240 to 1246, the first ruler to claim the title Prince of Wales. His father was Llywelyn the Great (Welsh: Llywelyn Fawr) (c. 1172-1240), Prince of Gwynedd in north Wales who eventually became ruler over most of Wales. "Davydd ab Llewelyn died at Aber, about 1246, and was buried in the abbey of Conway." 2

Over in Aberedow, South Wales "Llewelyn's Cave, is said to have been occasionally used as an asylum by that brave, but unfortunate, prince, Llewelyn ab Grufydd, the last royal defender of Welsh liberty and independence, against the overpowering army of Edward I." 2

Early History of the Flewelling family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flewelling research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1380, 1415 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Flewelling History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flewelling Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. People could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Flewelling name over the years has been spelled Flewelling, Flewellen, Llewellen, Llewillan, Llewellyn, Alewellyin, Flewellyn, Flywillan, Fleuellan, Llewallin, Llewallyn, Flewellan, Flewellin, Llewellan, Lewellin, Lewellen, Lewillan, Lewellyn, Lywellen, Lywellin, Lewallin and many more.

Early Notables of the Flewelling family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Sir Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel (c. 1380-1415), better known as Dafydd Gam or Davy Gam, a Welsh medieval...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Flewelling Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flewelling migration to the United States +

Many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries, searching for land, work, and freedom. Like the many other immigrants from the British Isles, they made a significant contribution to the development of Canada and the United States. The Welsh and their descendents added a rich cultural tradition to the newly developed towns, cities, and villages. An investigation of the immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Flewelling:

Flewelling Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Ann Flewelling purchased land in Virginia in 1643
Thomas Flewelling, who settled in Virginia in 1643
John Flewelling, who landed in Maryland in 1671 3

Flewelling Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Sadie Flewelling, who immigrated to America, in 1906
Elmer Flewelling, aged 44, who landed in America, in 1909
Hon A Flewelling, who settled in America, in 1912
Mrs. Hon A Flewelling, who landed in America, in 1912
Leslie C. Flewelling, aged 23, who immigrated to the United States, in 1918

Flewelling migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Flewelling Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Enos Flewelling U.E., "Enns" born in New Castle, Westchester County, New York, USA from New Castle, Westchester County, New York, USA who settled in Westfield, Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1783 aboard the ship "Cyrus" he enlisted in 1777 with Colonel Edumnd Fanning's King's American Regiment, also served in Captain Atwood’s Company and Captain Chapman’s Company, married Margaret Jewell in 1787 they had 13 children he died in 1830 in Kingston, Kings County, New Brunswick 4
Mr. Thomas Flewelling U.E. (b. 1730) born in Hempstead, Long Island, New York, USA from North Castle, Westchester County, New York, USA who settled in Oak Point, Greenwich, Kings County, New Brunswick c. 1783 aboard the ship "Cyrus" he helped the Kings American Regiment he died in 1809, married to Elizabeth Griffin 4
Mr. Francis Flewelling U.E. from North Castle, Westchester County, New York, USA who settled in Musquash, Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 he enlisted in 1779 served with Colonel DeLancey 4
Mr. James Flewelling U.E., "Maurice, Morris, James, Flewwelling" born in New York, USA who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 4
Mr. John Flewelling U.E., "Flewwelling" who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1788 married Deobrah Denton they had 2 children 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Flewelling Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Emma Flewelling, aged 18, who settled in Halifax, Canada, in 1921

Contemporary Notables of the name Flewelling (post 1700) +

Ralph Tyler Flewelling (1871-1960), American philosophy professor
Lynn Flewelling (b. 1958), American fantasy fiction author
William P. Flewelling (b. 1814), Canadian ship builder and politician
Gabriel Hudson Flewelling (b. 1842), Canadian merchant, shipbuilder and politician

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales. Institute of Historical Research, 1849, Print.
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X