Ringwode History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Today's generation of the Ringwode family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Ringwode family lived at Ringwood, in Hampshire. Since in Old English the word hring meant both circle and boundary, it is thought that the name of this place indicated was a reference to the edge of a forest.

Early Origins of the Ringwode family

The surname Ringwode was first found in Hampshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Ringwood. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in the year 1086, a survey of England initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his Conquest of England at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D., Ringwood was held as King's land and the holder is not named. As was the Norman custom the second son of the Norman holder of the land assumed the name of the Manor and village. In 1086, the village held two mills.

Early History of the Ringwode family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ringwode research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1685 is included under the topic Early Ringwode History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ringwode Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Ringwode include Ringwood, Ringewood, Ringwode and others.

Early Notables of the Ringwode family

More information is included under the topic Early Ringwode Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ringwode family to Ireland

Some of the Ringwode family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ringwode family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Ringwodes to arrive on North American shores: Robert Ringwood who landed in North America in 1753.