Show ContentsOttiwel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Ottiwel is one of the names carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is based on the Norman given name of Ottiwell.

Early Origins of the Ottiwel family

The surname Ottiwel was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Ottiwel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ottiwel research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1120 is included under the topic Early Ottiwel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ottiwel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ottiwel have been found, including Ottiwell, Ottewell, Ottawell, Ottowell, Ottiwill, Ottwell and many more.

Early Notables of the Ottiwel family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • Ottiwell, tutor to King Henry I`s children

Migration of the Ottiwel family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Ottiwel were among those contributors: Thomas Ottawell who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Thomas Ottowell, who came to Virginia in 1624; George Ottawell, who settled in Maryland in 1754; and Bridget Otwell, who settled in New York State in 1853..



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