Show ContentsGarthwaite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Garthwaite family

The surname Garthwaite was first found in Durham where they held a family seat on the English/Scottish border. After the Norman Conquest of England many of Duke William's rebellious Barons moved north. The border became a convenient no-man's land. Notable families such as the Percy, the Umfravilles and the Nevilles gathered many supporting clans around them. In the 16th century they became known as the 'unruly clans'. In that century, many of those clans drove their herds south, and they settled in Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name was first recorded in the 14th century.

Early History of the Garthwaite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Garthwaite research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Garthwaite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Garthwaite Spelling Variations

Although the name, Garthwaite, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Garthwaite, Gartwaite, Garthwhite, Garthwait and many more.

Early Notables of the Garthwaite family

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


New Zealand Garthwaite migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Garthwaite Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Garthwaite, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 1
  • Mrs. Garthwaite, British settler travelling from London with 4 sons aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 1
  • Miss Garthwaite, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Garthwaite (post 1700) +

  • Oona Garthwaite, American singer-songwriter
  • Phil Garthwaite (b. 1972), American Democratic Party member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
  • Anna Maria Garthwaite (1688-1763), English textile designer
  • Peter Fawcitt Garthwaite OBE (1909-2001), British president of the Royal Society of Forestry of England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 1972 to 1974


  1. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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