Show ContentsKewley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Kewley arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Kewley family lived in Norfolk. Their name, however, is derived from the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Quilli, near Falaise, Normandy. 1 2

The Kewley variant is most interesting. One source notes "the Manx surname Kewley does not, however, seem to be Celtic, and is probably of French origin." 2 While another states "the Isle of Man Kewleys are said to be a mere variant of Kelly, the great Manx patronymic. It is a question I am not able to decide." 1 And another notes the name is "a Manx contraction of MacAulay." 3

The Cowley variant is thought to have been derived from the Scottish MacAmhlaibh or Macaulay which in turn probably derived from the Old Norse name Óláfr. 3 However, there are parishes name Cowley throughout England.

Early Origins of the Kewley family

The surname Kewley was first found in Norfolk where Hunfrid de Cuelai was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 4

The Writs of Parliament included entries for Hugh de Cuilly 1313, Hugo de Cully 1314, Roger de Kuly 1318, and Roger de Kuylly 1322. 3 1

Early History of the Kewley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kewley research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1618, 1667, 1743, 1777, 1797 and 1809 are included under the topic Early Kewley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kewley Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Kewley, Quilly, Kewlay and others.

Early Notables of the Kewley family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Abraham Cowley (1618-1667), English poet, born in London. He was the seventh and posthumous child of his father, Thomas Cowley, a stationer who left 1,000l. to be divided among his children. His mother obtained his admission as a king's scholar at Westminster. He had already been drawn to poetry by reading a copy of the ‘Faërie Queen,’ which lay in his mother's parlour. Cowley's masters could never force him to undertake the drudgery of learning his grammar, and excused him on the ground that his natural quickness made it needless. 5Hannah Cowley (1743-1809)...
Another 103 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kewley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Kewley migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Kewley or a variant listed above:

Kewley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Kewley and his family, who arrived at the Port of New York in 1832
  • Philip Andrew Kewley, who was on record in Colorado in 1880

Canada Kewley migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kewley Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Edmund Kewley, who was on record in the census of Ontario, Canada of 1871

Australia Kewley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kewley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • George H. Kewley, aged 24, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emigrant" 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Kewley (post 1700) +

  • Kevin Kewley (b. 1955), English retired professional footballer who played in both England and the United States (1976-1989)
  • Edward Kewley (1852-1940), English sportsman who played rugby union for England and cricket for Lancashire, he captained England three times
  • Lisa Kewley, Australian Astrophysicist and current Director of the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian, awarded The Bok Prize (1996), Annie Jump Cannon Award in Astronomy (2005), Newton Lacy Pierce Prize (2008), Australian Laureate Fellowship (2015)
  • John Kewley (1860-1941), Manx Anglican priest on the Isle of Man, Archdeacon of Man from 1912 until 1938
  • John Kewley (1832-1905), Manx Captain of the Great Snaefell Mine, Isle of Man, remembered for his heroism following the Snaefell Mine Disaster of 1897 for which he received the Medal of the Honourable Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem
  • James Kewley Ward (1819-1910), Canadian lumber merchant and politician, born in Peel, Isle of Man

RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Ernest Alexander Kewley, English First Waiter from Edge Hill, Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered 7


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  6. South Australian Register Wednesday 25th October 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Emigrant 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/emigrant1854.shtml
  7. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/


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