Kerwyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The ancestors of the first family to use the name Kerwyn lived among the Boernician tribe of ancient Scotland. They lived in Cumberland, where it was originally associated with Culwen. Culwen or Culewen is the old spelling of Colvend which was located near the river Urr, Kirkcudbrightshire.

Early Origins of the Kerwyn family

The surname Kerwyn was first found in Northumberland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Kerwyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kerwyn research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1379, 1554, 1558, 1559, 1567, 1571, 1621 and 1679 are included under the topic Early Kerwyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kerwyn Spelling Variations

Boernician names that evolved in the largely preliterate Middle Ages are often marked by considerable spelling variations. Kerwyn has been spelled Curwen, Curwens, Corwen, Corwyn, Curwyn, Curwin, Curvin, Corwin, Kerwen, Kerwin, Kerwyn, Kervin and many more.

Early Notables of the Kerwyn family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kerwyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kerwyn family

Some of the Boernician-Scottish Clan families who came to North America were Loyalists who went north to Canada after the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border went on to found two of the world's great nations. This century, families with Scottish roots have rediscovered their heritage through highland games and clan societies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Kerwyn or a variant listed above: Mathias Corwin, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1634; George Corwin, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1638; from Cumberland, England; Jonathan Curwin, who settled in Massachusetts in 1641.

The Kerwyn 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: Si je n'estoy
Motto Translation: If I were not.