Show ContentsKilshaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Kilshaw family

The surname Kilshaw was first found in Lancashire at Culcheth, a township, in the parish of Newchurch, union of Leigh, hundred of West Derby. 1 "The Culcheths of Burscough spelt their name variously as Culcheth, Culshaw, and Kilshaw. 'The place is called Kilsha by the locals'" 2

Here we find the earliest records of the family, that of: Henry de Culchet, Lancashire; and Gilbert de Kulchet, both in 1201. 2 The Assize Rolls of 1246-1247 list Gilbert de Culchit in Lancashire as does the Feet of Fines for Lancashire in 1359, lists Gilbert de Culchith. 3

Later the source Wills at Chester includes entries for William Kilshaw, of Burscough, 1617; Geoffrey Culcheth, of Hindley, 1585; Thomas Culcheth, of Leigh, 1611; John Kilshaw, of Burscough, 1619; Edward Culshaw (Culcheth), of Burscough, 1641; John Culcheth, of Culcheth, parish of Winwick, 1640; and William Culcheth, or Culshaw, of Burscough, 1665. 4

Early History of the Kilshaw family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kilshaw research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1201, 1327, 1413, 1455, 1468, 1487 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Kilshaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kilshaw Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Culcheth, Kulcheth, Kylcheth, Culchech, Culcheck, Culchaw, Culshaw, Kilshaw, Kilsha, Kulchet and many more.

Early Notables of the Kilshaw family

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


Australia Kilshaw migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kilshaw Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Kilshaw, British Convict who was convicted in Liverpool, Lancaster, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 20th July 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
  • Mr. John Kilshaw, (Kelsey), English convict who was convicted in West Riding, Yorkshire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 24th March 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
  • Mr. John Kilshaw, (b. 1821), aged 19, English labourer who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Duncan" on 10th December 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 7


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Baines Thomas & William Fairbairn, Lancashire and Cheshire, Past and Present History of Counties London: William MacKenzie, 1867, Digital, 4 vols
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th February 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1837
  6. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 13th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  7. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th August 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/duncan


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