Show ContentsDouthwhyte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Douthwhyte date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Douthwhyte family 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 Douthwhyte family

The surname Douthwhyte 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 Douthwhyte family

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

Douthwhyte Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Douthwhyte are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Douthwhyte include: Douthwaite, Douthert, Douthet, Douthat, Douthit, Douthirt, Douthwrait, Dowthwaite, Dowthert, Dowthet, Dowthirt and many more.

Early Notables of the Douthwhyte family

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

Migration of the Douthwhyte family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Douthwhyte or a variant listed above: 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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