Show ContentsDoutheart History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Doutheart belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in either Dowthwaite, in Cumberland or Dowthwaite Hall in the North Riding of Yorkshire. 1 2

The name literally means "a piece of ground cleared of wood, from the Anglo-Saxon thweotan, to cut." 3 4

Early Origins of the Doutheart family

The surname Doutheart was first found in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland where John de Doventhuayt was recorded in 1332. Much later in Yorkshire, John Dowthwayt was recorded there at Whitby in 1540. 1 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included an entry for Robertas de Dowthwayt. 5

Early History of the Doutheart family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doutheart research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1572, 1662, 1667, 1714 and 1733 are included under the topic Early Doutheart History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doutheart Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Doutheart include Douthwaite, Douthert, Douthet, Douthat, Douthit, Douthirt, Douthwrait, Dowthwaite, Dowthert, Dowthet, Dowthirt and many more.

Early Notables of the Doutheart family

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

Migration of the Doutheart family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Doutheart were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Abraham Dowthwaite who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1796 with his brother Robert; William Douthwaite arrived in Philadelphia in 1803.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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