Show ContentsCloteworthe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Cloteworthe comes from the family having resided in Clatworthy, a parish, in the union of Williton, hundred of Williton and Freemanners in Somerset. 1

Early Origins of the Cloteworthe family

The surname Cloteworthe was first found in Somerset, at Clatworthy, a village and civil parish in the West Somerset District which dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was first listed as Clateurde. 2

By 1243, the place name had evolved to Clatewurthy and the place name literally means "enclosure where burdock grows." 3 Clatworthy Camp is an Iron Age hill fort 3 miles (4.8 km) North West of Wiveliscombe in Somerset.

Early History of the Cloteworthe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cloteworthe research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1617, 1626, 1630, 1634, 1640, 1646, 1665, 1680 and 1683 are included under the topic Early Cloteworthe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cloteworthe Spelling Variations

Cloteworthe has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Clatworthy, Cloteworthy, Clotworthy, Clatworth and others.

Early Notables of the Cloteworthe family

Notables of this surname at this time include: John Cloteworthy, a prominent 14th century landholder in Somerset; Sir Hugh Clotworthy (died 1630), High Sheriff of Antrim; and his son, John Clotworthy, 1st Viscount Massereene (died 1665), an Anglo-Irish politician. They were descended from the Devonshire family of that name. Sir John was one of the largest landowners in the county of Antrim (Aphorismical Discovery, i. 335), and appears as the representative of those who held under the charter of...
Another 79 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cloteworthe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Cloteworthe family to Ireland

Some of the Cloteworthe family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cloteworthe family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Cloteworthes to arrive on North American shores: Matthew Clatworthy, who sailed to Virginia in 1635 and Roger Clatworth sailed to Virginia in 1654.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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