| ![Show Contents]() Tewell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Tewell can be traced to the ancient Celtic culture of Wales. The surname Tewell is derived from the Welsh word "tew," which means "portly" or "plump," and was most likely originally a nickname for a heavy-set person. Early Origins of the Tewell familyThe surname Tewell was first found in Cardiganshire (Welsh: Sir Aberteifi), the former Kingdom of Ceredigion, created as a county in 1282 by Edward I, and located on the West coast of Wales, where they held a family seat anciently. Traditionally they claim descent from Rhodri Mawr, the first great King of Wales through Lord Rhys, Prince of South Wales. Gwenllian, daughter of John Tew married Dafydd Llywellyn Lloyd of Castle Howel, first knight of the shire for Cardiganshire. Early History of the Tewell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tewell research. Another 34 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1650, 1654, 1695, 1714, 1715 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Tewell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Tewell Spelling VariationsWelsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Tewell has occasionally been spelled Tew, Tews, Tewell, Tewel, Tuel, Tuell and others. Early Notables of the Tewell familyProminent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was John Tew of Cardigan; Henry Tew (1654-1718), early American 16th Deputy Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1714-1715); and Thomas Tew (c. 1650-1695), American pirate who gained notoriety in the Red Sea...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tewell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Tewell family to Ireland
Some of the Tewell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Tewell migration to the United States | + |
In the 1800s and 1900s, many Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Tewell
Tewell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- William Tewell, who was on record in St. Mary’s County, Maryland in 1714
| Contemporary Notables of the name Tewell (post 1700) | + |
- Doug Tewell (b. 1949), American professional (PGA) golfer
- Reverend Dr. Thomas K Tewell, Senior Pastor at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church
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Tewell migration to the United States 
Wales
Ireland
