Show ContentsEntwhisle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Entwhisle has a long Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family lived in Entwistle, a township in the parish of Bolton, Lancashire.

Early Origins of the Entwhisle family

The surname Entwhisle was first found in Lancashire at Entwistle, a township, in the chapelry of Turton, parish and union of Bolton, hundred of Salford.

"The township was anciently common land, belonging to the families of Blackburn and Entwistle. The latter family was long settled here, and Camden speaks of Entwistle Hall, in his time, as being "a neat and elegant mansion, the residence of noble proprietors of its own name. 1

"Sir Bertine Entwistle, knight, viscount, and Baron, of Bricqbec, in Normandy, a distinguished warrior in the reigns of Henry V. and VI., was among the heroes of Agincourt, and contributed by his zeal to the conquest of France. He was also engaged, on the side of the latter monarch, in the battle of St. Alban's, the first blow struck in the fatal quarrel between the houses of York and Lancaster, in 1455; and there unfortunately perished." 1

Wardleworth in Lancashire was home to a branch of the family. "Foxholes, in the township, has long been the seat of the Entwistles, a distinguished Lancashire family, of whom was Sir Bertyne Entwistle, one of the heroes of Agincourt. The original mansion was built by Edmund Entwistle soon after the Reformation." 1

Early History of the Entwhisle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Entwhisle research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1574, 1582 and 1620 are included under the topic Early Entwhisle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Entwhisle Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Entwhisle have been found, including Entwistle, Entwisell, Entwissell, Entwhistle and many more.

Early Notables of the Entwhisle family

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

Migration of the Entwhisle family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Entwhisle, or a variant listed above: James and Rose Entwhistle arrived in Philadelphia in 1830; James Entwisle arrived in New York in 1820; Isaac, John and James Entwisle arrived in Philadelphia in 1844.



The Entwhisle 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: Per ce signe a Agincourt
Motto Translation: Through this sign, we have Agincourt


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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