Cardwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


The name Cardwell was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Cardwell family lived in Wiltshire, after arriving from the cantor of Cardville, or Cardunville, near Caen, Normandy. 1 The place name literally means "thistly estate [Old French cordon (mod. chardon), a thistle, from Latin cardu-us + French ville." 2

Early Origins of the Cardwell family

The surname Cardwell was first found in Derbyshire where the Pipe Rolls of 1195 list Adam de Caldewella as holding lands there at that time. "Ernald de Cardunville held a fief from the See of Lincoln, 1165, and Peter de Cardeville from the barony of Estoteville, York 3. Paganus de Cardeville had a grant in Hereford 1156. Walter de Cardeville was witness, 1170, to a charter in Lincoln. Richard de Cardeville was witness (13th cent.) to a charter of the Bishop of Winchester." 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had only one listing for the family: William de Cardevile who held lands in Wiltshire. 4

The Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I included an entry for Richard de Cardevill, Southamptonshire, Henry III-Edward I. 5

In Yorkshire, Richard de Coldewell was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 and a few years later, Richard Cauldwell was listed there in 1381. 6

Early History of the Cardwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cardwell research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1273, 1606 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Cardwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cardwell Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Cardwell are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Cardwell include Cardwell, Cardville, Cairdwell, Cairdville, Cardvell, Cartwell, Cardvill, Cartville, Kartwell, Kardwell, Kartville, Kardville, Kairdwell and many more.

Early Notables of the Cardwell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Cardwell Ranking

In the United States, the name Cardwell is the 2,130th most popular surname with an estimated 14,922 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Cardwell family to Ireland

Some of the Cardwell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.



Cardwell migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Cardwell, or a variant listed above:

Cardwell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Cardwell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Cardwell migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Cardwell Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Cardwell 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:

Cardwell Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Cardwell (post 1700) +





The Cardwell Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Agissez honnetement
Motto Translation: Act honestly



Suggested Readings for the name Cardwell +





Fastest Delivery Possible

Digital Products on Checkout, all other products filled in 1 business day

Money Back Guarantee

Yes, all products 100% Guraranteed

BBB A+ Rating

The Best Rating possible

Secure Online Payment

Entire site uses SSL / Secure Certificate