Show ContentsPapworth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Papworth family

The surname Papworth was first found in Cambridgeshire where they held a family seat. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name Papworth was first referenced in the year 1208 with Elena Papworth, In 1311 Walter de Pappeworth was mentioned for his participation for his county.

Early History of the Papworth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Papworth research. Another 146 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1331, 1372, 1381, 1382, 1386, 1414, 1547 and 1723 are included under the topic Early Papworth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Papworth Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Papworth has been recorded under many different variations, including Papworth, Papworthy, Papeworth, Papword, Pappeworth, Papwroth, Papworthie, Pepworth, Paipworth, Papwordy and many more.

Early Notables of the Papworth family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Sir William Papworth (c.1331-1414), of Grafham, Huntingdonshire, an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Cambridgeshire in 1372, 1381, 1382 and 1386


United States Papworth migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Papworth or a variant listed above:

Papworth Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Papworth, who arrived in Maryland in 1658 1
Papworth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • N. Papworth, aged 26, who landed in America, in 1892
Papworth Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Fred Ingle Papworth, aged 31, who landed in America from London, in 1907
  • William Papworth, aged 6, who immigrated to New York, in 1907
  • Eliz. A. Papworth, aged 31, who immigrated to America from Hexham, England, in 1909
  • Stanley Papworth, aged 0, who immigrated to the United States from Hexhaw, England, in 1909
  • Frank Papworth, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States from Elsworth, England, in 1912
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Papworth migration to Australia +

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

Papworth Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Papworth, (b. 1816), aged 26, English convict who was convicted in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Emerald Isle" on 25th June 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1888 2
  • William Papworth, aged 44, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord of the Isles" 3
  • Daniel Papworth, aged 14, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord of the Isles" 3
  • John Papworth, aged 16, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord of the Isles" 3
  • William Papworth, aged 17, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Lord of the Isles" 3
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Papworth 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:

Papworth Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Richard Papworth, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Romulus" in 1862
  • Annie Papworth, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Romulus" in 1862

Contemporary Notables of the name Papworth (post 1700) +

  • John Papworth (1921-2020), English founder and original editor of Resurgence magazine
  • George Papworth (1781-1855), English architect
  • Harold Charles Papworth OBE (1888-1953), British educator, Principal of the Presidency College, Madras from 1934 to 1942
  • John Buonarotti Papworth (1775-1847), English architect, artist and a founding member of the Royal Institute of British Architects
  • Brett Papworth (b. 1963), Australian rugby league player who played from 1988 to 1991

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Robert G Papworth (b. 1917), English Yeoman of Signals serving for the Royal Navy from Hampton, Middlesex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 4


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emily
  3. South Australian Register Monday 14th August 1854. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lord of the Isles 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/jamesfernie1854.shtml
  4. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm


Houseofnames.com on Facebook