Show ContentsEllisworth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Ellisworth is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Cambridgeshire, where they derived their name from the place-name Elsworth. The place-name is derived from the Old English personal name Eli and worth, an Old English word for farm. The place-name translated literally as Eli's farm. 1

Early Origins of the Ellisworth family

The surname Ellisworth was first found in Cambridgeshire at Elsworth, a parish, in the union of Caxton and Arrington, hundred of Papworth. An ancient Saxon village, it dates back to 974 when it was first listed as Eleswurth. 1 By the Domesday Book of 1086, the place name had evolved to Elesuuorde. 2 Elworth is a village and a suburb of Sandbach, Cheshire but is rather recent in history so as to be an unlikely origin of the surname. Elworthy is a small village and civil parish in the Brendon Hills area of Somerset. 3

Early History of the Ellisworth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ellisworth research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1280, 1400, 1600 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Ellisworth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ellisworth 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 Ellisworth were recorded, including Ellesworth, Elsworth, Ellsworth, Elisworth, Ellisworth, Elsworthy and many more.

Early Notables of the Ellisworth family

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

Migration of the Ellisworth family

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 Ellisworth family emigrate to North America: Josiah Ellsworth who settled in New England in 1620 and purchased land there. The Ellsworths were among the first settlers to land in the New World. Later David Ellsworth landed in Massachusetts and moved to Boston in 1767. By 1852 John Ellsworth had traveled across the states to settle in San Francisco..



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


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