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![Show Contents]() Kidwel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Wales
The origins of the Welsh name Kidwel go back to the ancient Celtic culture that existed in the hills and Moors of Wales. The forbears that initially held the name Kidwel once lived in the town of Kidwelly, which is situated in the Welsh region of Dyfed. The Normans noted the strategic importance of this town, which is bordered by the coastline and two minor valleys. The town features a magnificent castle which dates from the 13th century; however, this stands on the site of a previous castle built in 1094, by William de Londres. The surname Kidwel belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Early Origins of the Kidwel familyThe surname Kidwel was first found in Dyfed a former county, and the ancient Welsh Kingdom of Pwyll, Lord of Dyfed in South-west Wales, comprised of the present day counties of Pembroke, Carmarthen, and Cardigan, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the Kidwel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kidwel research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1094, 1589 and 1747 are included under the topic Early Kidwel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kidwel Spelling VariationsThere are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Kidwel have included Kidwelly, Kidwelley, Kidwell, Kidwall, Kedwell and others. Early Notables of the Kidwel familyMore information is included under the topic Early Kidwel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Kidwel familyDuring the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Kidwel: J.H. Kidwell, who sailed to San Francisco in 1851.
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