Show ContentsHonywould History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Honywould family

The surname Honywould was first found in Kent at "Henewood, near Postling where the ancestors of this family resided as early as the reign of Henry III." 1 The family name was first referenced in the 12th century when they held a family seat at Honywood, Elmsted, and Lenham.

Early History of the Honywould family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Honywould research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1527, 1543, 1548, 1586, 1597, 1600, 1601, 1604, 1619, 1620, 1625, 1632, 1654, 1656, 1659, 1666, 1677, 1681, 1686, 1743 and 1752 are included under the topic Early Honywould History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Honywould 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 Honywould 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 Honywould include: Honeywood, Honiwood, Huniwood, Honywood, Hunywood and many more.

Early Notables of the Honywould family

Distinguished members of the family include Mary Honywood (1527-1620), daughter and coheiress of Robert Waters, Esquire, of Lenham, Kent, was born at that place in 1527. "In 1543, being then in her sixteenth year, she married Robert Honywood, Esquire, of Charing, and afterwards of Marks Hall, Essex, by whom she had sixteen children. Mrs. Honywood was chiefly celebrated for her longevity, and for the unprecedentedly large number of lineal descendants whom she lived to see. By her sixteen children she had 114 grandchildren, 228 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren, 367 in all. " 2 Sir Thomas Honeywood (1586-1666), an English politician who sat...
Another 110 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Honywould Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Honywould 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 Honywould or a variant listed above: John Honywood, who arrived in America in 1638-1639; Philip Honywood, who settled in Virginia in 1649; Hen Honywood, who settled in Virginia in 1670; Wel Honywood, who arrived in Virginia in 1675.



The Honywould 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: Omne bonum desuper
Motto Translation: Every good is from above.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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