Show ContentsShadworth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Shadworth family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in London, where their name is derived from the place-name Chatworth, now lost. Before this, the name is derived from the Old English personal name Ceatta, with the suffix -worth, which means enclosure or farm. Combined, the name Chatworth meant "Ceatta's farm." 1

Early Origins of the Shadworth family

The surname Shadworth was first found in Derbyshire at Chatsworth, a hamlet, in the parish of Edensor, union of Bakewell, hundred of High Peak. This hamlet has been held by the Duke of Devonshire; and consists almost wholly of Chatsworth Park, which extends into the hamlet of Edensor, and the townships of Baslow and Beeley, and comprises 1200 acres of land. The magnificent mansion of Chatsworth is built upon the site of a more ancient edifice, in which Mary, Queen of Scots, passed a considerable portion of her captivity. " 2

The variant Chaworth traces back to "Patrick de Cadurcis, or Chaworth, whose name appears on the Battle Roll, was a native of Little Brittany, and after the victory of Hastings, appears to have been rewarded by grants of land in Gloucestershire. From him descended Thomas de Chaworth, who was summoned to parliament as a Baron in 1299, and whose descend- ants continued for a long series of generations, seated in high repute in the counties of Nottingham and Derby." 3

Early History of the Shadworth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Shadworth research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1349, 1401, 1430, 1458, 1507, 1568, 1605, 1621, 1622, 1635, 1639, 1644 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Shadworth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Shadworth Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Shadworth include Chadworth, Chatworth, Chaworth, Shadworth and others.

Early Notables of the Shadworth family

Notables of the family at this time include Joan Chaworth (1430-1507), the heiress of Alfreton, married in 1458 to John Ormond; George Chaworth, 1st Viscount Chaworth of Armagh (c.1568-1639)...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Shadworth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Shadworth migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Shadworth were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Shadworth Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Shadworth, who settled in New England in 1765

Contemporary Notables of the name Shadworth (post 1700) +

  • Robert Shadworth, Educational Administrator, Louisiana


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.


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