Walworth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Walworth is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Walworth family lived in Surrey, at Walworth, a hamlet, in the parish and union of St. Mary, Newington, two miles from London. 1 Now part of Greater London, Walworth dates back to Saxon times, where in 1001 it was listed as Wealawryth. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, it was known as Waleorde. 2 The place name literally means "enclosure of the Britons." 3 But another source claims the name meant "Welshman's farm." 4

Walworth, a township, in the parish of Heighington, union of Darlington in Durham 1 is another possible origin of the family. 5

Early Origins of the Walworth family

The surname Walworth was first found in Surrey where they were Lords of the manor of Walworth from early times. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book survey in 1086, Walworth was held by Baynard from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and conjecturally the Walworths are descended from this Baynard a Norman noble. 2

One of the first entries of the family in public rolls was John de Walworth who was listed in London in 1340. Later in Yorkshire, John de Walleworth was found in the Feet of Fines for 1375. Back in London, we found Richard Walleworth in the Assize Rolls of 1400. 5

Sir William Walworth (d. 1385) was Lord May of London and "was descended of good family. A William de Walworth, who may have been his father, was the grantee of land in Darlington in 1314. Sir William himself succeeded a member of the ancient family of Bart, Bard, or Baard, in the tenure of a manor which included the parish of Middleton St. George, near Darlington in Durham." 6

Early History of the Walworth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Walworth research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1373, 1374, 1375, 1380, 1381, 1385, 1592 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Walworth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Walworth Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Walworth include Wallworth, Wallworthe, Walworth, Walworthe, Woolworth, Woolworthe, Wolworth, Wolworthe, Walwork, Walworke, Wallwork and many more.

Early Notables of the Walworth family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir William Walworth (died 1385), the English nobleman and politician who was twice Lord Mayor of London (1374-1375 and 1380-1381). He is best known for killing Wat Tyler during the Peasants' Revolt i...

Walworth migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Walworths to arrive on North American shores:

Alice M. Mary Walworth, aged 43, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Santa Luisa" 7
Dorothy W. Walworth, aged 12, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Santa Luisa" 7
Edwin Walworth, aged 45, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Santa Luisa" 7
Catherine M. Walworth, aged 9, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Santa Luisa" 7
Barbara Alice Walworth, aged 1, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Santa Luisa" 7

Walworth Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hugh Walworth, aged 45, who settled in Maryland in 1774

Walworth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Thos Walworth, aged 25, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Penelope" in 1827 7
Thos Walworth, aged 46, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Penelope" in 1827 7
Augustus Walworth, aged 33, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Washington" in 1832 7
Elisa Walworth, aged 20, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Siddons" in 1839 7
Thomas Walworth, aged 25, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Siddons" in 1842 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Walworth (post 1700) +

Reuben Hyde Walworth (1788-1867), American Democratic Party politician, State Court Judge in New York, 1811; U.S. Representative from New York 12th District, 1821-23; Candidate for Governor of New York, 1848 8
Lyman J. Walworth, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Otsego County, 1836 8
John Walworth, American politician, Postmaster at Cleveland, Ohio, 1806-12 8
Ashbel W. Walworth, American politician, Postmaster at Cleveland, Ohio, 1812-16 8
Arthur Walworth (1903-2005), American author and biographer of Woodrow Wilson
Ellen Hardin Walworth (1832-1915), American author, lawyer, and activist
Clarence Walworth Alvord (1868-1928), American history professor and author, recipient of the 1918 Loubat Prize for his book "The Mississippi Valley in British Politics"
Walworth Barbour (1908-1982), American diplomat, U.S. Ambassador to Israel (1961-1973)

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html