Newth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Newth is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from Cnute, a popular name in England in the early Middle Ages. It was popular thanks to the influence of Cnut, a Dane, who became King of England in 1016. "There are two Cnuts in Domesday, one in Yorkshire, the other in Derbyshire." 1

Alternatively, it may be of nickname origin, from the Old English word hnutu, which meant brown, and would have been given to someone with a brown complexion. It may be that this is the origin of the English saying "Brown as a nut," used for someone who has spent a lot of time in the sun.

Early Origins of the Newth family

The surname Newth was first found in Gloucestershire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Newth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Newth research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1550, 1576, 1577, 1600, 1605, 1612, 1620, 1623, 1640, 1653, 1656, 1660, 1668, 1716, 1722 and 1987 are included under the topic Early Newth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Newth Spelling Variations

Newth has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Newth have been found, including Nutt, Nudd, Nutting, Knutt, Nuttman, Nutter and others.

Early Notables of the Newth family

Distinguished members of the family include John Nutt (1605-1668), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1653; and John Nutt (fl. 1620-1623), English pirate born in Devon who raided the Newfoundland and western England for three years before his capture by Sir John Eliot in 1623. His arrest and conviction caused a scandal in the English court as Nutt had paid Eliot £500 in exchange for a pardon. He was eventually released by the Secretary of State George Calvert. He arrived at Torbay Newfoundland in 1620 aboard the ship Dartmouth in 1620, but soon organized...
Another 204 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Newth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Newth family to Ireland

Some of the Newth family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Newth migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Newth Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Ann Newth, aged 33, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Amelia Newth, aged 14, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Mark Newth, aged 13, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Betsy Jane Newth, aged 8, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
Helena Newth, aged 7, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Newth (post 1700) +

Rev Samuel Newth (1821-1898), English principal of New College London, a noted Biblical scholar, non-conformist and mathematician, father of George Samuel Newth
George Samuel Newth (1851-1936), English chemist and author from Plymouth
Philip Newth (b. 1939), English author of children's literature, husband of Mette Newth
Brian Allen Newth (b. 1947), New Zealand modern pentathlete at the 1980 Summer Olympics
Mette Cecilie Newth (b. 1942), Norwegian illustrator, author of children's literature
Jonathan Newth (b. 1939), British actor from Devon, best known for his performances in television

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)