Show ContentsCurwin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Curwin family

The surname Curwin was first found in Northumberland where the "Curwens of Workington claim descent from the famous Gospatric, Earl of Northumberland. They 'took that name by covenant from Culwen, a family of Galloway, the heir whereof they had married.' Camden. De Culwen was changed to Curwen temp. Henry VI." 1

Early History of the Curwin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Curwin research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1379, 1571, 1602, 1621, 1640, 1664, 1666, 1679, 1696 and 1718 are included under the topic Early Curwin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curwin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Curwen, Curwens, Corwen, Corwyn, Curwyn, Curwin, Curvin, Corwin, Kerwen, Kerwin, Kerwyn, Kervin and many more.

Early Notables of the Curwin family

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


United States Curwin migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Curwin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • George Curwin, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1638 2
  • Jonathan Curwin, who landed in Salem, Massachusetts in 1641 2
  • George Curwin, who arrived in New England in 1682
  • Samuel Curwin, who settled in Boston in 1698
  • Samuel Curwin, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1698 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Curwin (post 1700) +

  • Richard Curwin (b. 1944), American author in the fields of school discipline, motivation and classroom management
  • Julie Curwin, Canadian writer, winner of the 2008 Commonwealth Short Story Competition


The Curwin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Si je n'estoy
Motto Translation: If I were not.


  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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