Show ContentsAllwright History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Allwright family

The surname Allwright was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia, where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1250 when William Ailright held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Allwright family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Allwright research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Allwright History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Allwright Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Allwright were recorded, including Allright, Allwright, Alwright, Alright, Elright, Oldright, Eldwright, Oldrite, Oldwright, Elwright and many more.

Early Notables of the Allwright family

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


United States Allwright migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Allwright family emigrate to North America:

Allwright Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Joseph Allwright, a bonded passenger, who arrived in America in 1757
Allwright Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Allwright, aged 20, who landed in America from Reading, in 1892
  • Jos. Allwright, who immigrated to America, in 1892
  • Jos. Allwright, aged 24, who landed in America from Reading, in 1892
  • Wm. Allwright, aged 26, who settled in America from Reading, in 1892
  • Joseph A. Allwright, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States from Reading, in 1899
Allwright Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Sarah Allwright, aged 48, who immigrated to the United States from London, in 1903
  • Eugene Allwright, aged 49, who settled in America from London, in 1906
  • Rose Allwright, aged 23, who landed in America from London, in 1906
  • Rosa Allwright, aged 23, who settled in America from Tunbridge Wells, England, in 1907
  • Rosa Allwright, aged 20, who landed in America from Dremley, England, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Allwright migration to Australia +

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

Allwright Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Joseph Allwright, (b. 1799), aged 21, British Convict who was convicted in London, England for life for pick pocketing, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 6th April 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 1
  • James Allwright, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Bussorah Merchant" in 1848 2
  • Mary Allwright, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Bussorah Merchant" in 1848 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Allwright (post 1700) +

  • Graeme Allwright (1926-2020), New Zealand-born French singer and songwriter from Wellington, New Zealand
  • Thomas Allwright Dibbs (1832-1923), Australian banker
  • Harry Allwright (1836-1892), English-born, Member of Parliament in Canterbury, New Zealand
  • Matthew "Matt" Allwright (b. 1970), British television presenter and journalist
  • Thomas Allwright Dibbs (1832-1923), Australian banker


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-st-vincent
  2. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BUSSORAH MERCHANT 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848BussorahMerchant.htm


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