Show ContentsTrevarthen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient and distinguished surname Trevarthen comes from the southwestern county of Cornwall. The name is made up of two elements: the Cornish "tre," meaning "homestead, settlement," and the Welsh personal name "Arthen." This name was borne by places in the parishes of St. Hilary and Newlyn East; thus, it is likely that the original bearer of the surname came from one of these places.

Early Origins of the Trevarthen family

The surname Trevarthen was first found in Cornwall, where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Trevarthian. "The manor of Trevarthian, [in the parish of Newlyn, Cornwall] was, in the early periods of its history, the property of a family to whom it gave its name; by whose heiress it was carried to the Reskymers. Tonkin says, that Walter de Treverbyn, who was sheriff of Cornwall in the reign of Henry III. was of this place." 1

Early History of the Trevarthen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trevarthen research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trevarthen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trevarthen Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Trevarthen, Trevarthian, Trevarthan and others.

Early Notables of the Trevarthen family

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


United States Trevarthen migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Trevarthen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Mr. H.E. Trevarthen, (b. 1861), aged 30, Cornish miner departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Teutonic" arriving in Birmingham, Alabama, USA on 27 May 1891 2
  • Edward Trevarthen, aged 40, who arrived in America from South Africa, in 1897
Trevarthen Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Thomas Kendle Trevarthen, aged 29, who arrived in America from Libery, England, in 1907
  • William Arthur Trevarthen, aged 24, who arrived in America from Camborne, England, in 1907
  • Thomazine Trevarthen, aged 18, who arrived in America from Cornwall, England, in 1908
  • Henry Trevarthen, aged 19, who arrived in America from Camborne, England, in 1913
  • Richard C. Trevarthen, aged 23, who arrived in America from Hayle, England, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Trevarthen 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:

Trevarthen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • J Trevarthen, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
  • M Trevarthen, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1845

Contemporary Notables of the name Trevarthen (post 1700) +

  • Trethanna Trevarthen, American costume maker, known for her work on Les Misérables (2012), Hugo (2011) and Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
  • Noel Trevarthen (1938-2006), New Zealand Logie Award winning actor, best known for his roles in The Rovers (1969), Riviera Police (1965) and Dusty (1983)
  • Colwyn Trevarthen, British Emeritus Professor of Child Psychology and Psychobiology at the University of Edinburgh
  • William "Bill" MacVay Trevarthen, New Zealand rugby footballer who played for the New Zealand National Team (1907-1909)

HMS Hood
  • Mr. William Trevarthen (b. 1895), English Canteen Assistant serving for the Royal Navy from Camborne, Cornwall, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 3


  1. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  2. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  3. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


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