Estwode History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestry of the name Estwode dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived to the east of a wood, or perhaps in an eastern wood. It may also be derived from one of several possible villages named Eastwood. There is an Eastwood in Yorkshire, and there may have been one in Essex as well. 1 Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English words east (east) and wudu (wood), which continue to have the same meaning in Modern English.

Early Origins of the Estwode family

The surname Estwode was first found in Cambridgeshire where Adam de Estwde is first recorded in 1221. 2 A few years later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 would provide clues to the widespread use of the name at that time: Jacob de Estwode, Suffolk; Walter de Estwode, Bedfordshire; and John de Estwode, Kent. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for: Rogerus de Estwode; Johannes de Estwode; and Johannes de Estwode, et Sibota uxor ejus. 1

Further north in Scotland, the name is derived from "the old barony of the same name in Renfrewshire. Gilisius (Giles) de Estwode, a vassal of the Stewards, witnessed a charter by James the Steward of Scotland in 1294. In 1296, Giles or Gyles del Estwode of the county of Lanark rendered homage for his lands [to King Edward I of England]. The seal attached to his homage bears an acorn and leaves and S' Giliscie de Heesthwit. About 1313, de Estwod witnessed the grant by the High Steward of the church of Largyss to the monks of Paisley." 3

Early History of the Estwode family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Estwode research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1279, 1339, 1658, 1824, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1862 and 1864 are included under the topic Early Estwode History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Estwode 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 Estwode have been found, including Eastwood, Eastwoods, Estwoud, Estwude, Eastwude and many more.

Early Notables of the Estwode family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Johathan Eastwood (1824-1864), topographer, was born in 1824. He studied at St. John's College, Cambridge, where, after obtaining both classical and mathematical honours, he took the two degrees in arts in 1846 and 1849 respectively. He entered holy orders in 1847, and was appointed curate of Ecclesfield, Yorkshire. He devoted his leisure to the study of local history and antiquity...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Estwode Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Estwode family to Ireland

Some of the Estwode family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Estwode 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 Estwode, or a variant listed above: Richard Eastwood who purchased land in Virginia in 1642; Sarah Eastwood settled in South Carolina in 1774; Abraham, Daniel, David, Thomas, Walter and William Eastwood all settled in Pennsylvania in the mid-1800's..

The Estwode 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: Oriens sylva
Motto Translation: Rising from the wood.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)