Penswick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins and Etymology of Penswick

The surname Penswick was first found in Gloucestershire, at Painswick, a village and civil parish that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Wiche and was held by Roger de Lacy, a Norman Baron. 1 By 1237, the village was listed as Painswike. The place name literally means "the dwelling or dairy farm" from the Old English word "wic." 2 The prefix "Pain" was added about the 12th century when Pain Fitzjohn held a manor there at that time. The village thrived on the wool trade through the years, but it is now best known for its parish church's yew trees for which folklore holds that the churchyard will never have more than 99 yew trees and that should a 100th grow the Devil would pull it out.

Early History of the Penswick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Penswick research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1137 is included under the topic Early Penswick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Penswick Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Penswick, Painswick, Penwick, Pynwick, Pynswick, Pinswick, Payneswick and many more.

Early Notables of the Penswick family

the Penswick family of Gloucestershire

Penswick migration to the United States +

Penswick Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James Penswick, aged 26, who arrived in America, in 1919
Maurice Penswick, aged 27, who arrived in America, in 1920

Contemporary Notables of the name Penswick (post 1700) +

Thomas Penswick (1772-1836), English Roman Catholic bishop, Vicar Apostolic of the Northern District (1831-1836)

Sources +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)