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Cornwall, one of the original six "Celtic nations" is the homeland to the surname Carrew. A revival of the Cornish language which began in the 9th century AD has begun. No doubt this was the language spoken by distant forebears of the Carrew family. Though surnames became common during medieval times, English people were formerly known only by a single name. The way in which hereditary surnames were adopted in medieval England is fascinating. Many Cornish surnames appear to be topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees, many are actually habitation surnames. The name Carrew is a local type of surname and the Carrew family lived in Cornwall. This name is derived from Welsh surname Caeriw, meaning dweller at the fort on the hill.
However, "we come upon a disputed etymology. Mr Carew in his 'Survey of Cornwall' tells us that 'his first ancestor came out of France with William the Conqueror by the name Karrow.' Karo, or Caro, is a Cornish word signifying hart or deer. Dugdale and most other authorities, believe that the family is denominated from Carew Castle in Pembrokeshire." 1
The surname Carrew was first found in Cornwall where the family first established themselves after the Conquest. The family are descended from "Gerald, son of Walter de Windsor, who lived in the reign of Henry I, which Walter was son of Otho, in the time of William the Conqueror." 2
"In the [parish of Antony in East, Cornwall] have resided for several centuries, many branches of the well known and justly respected family of Carew. Richard Carew, Esq. the celebrated historian of Cornwall, informs us in his Survey of the county, that his ancestors were originally from the continent, and that they came into this kingdom with William the Conqueror. Of the genealogy, progress, and connexion of his family with others, in passing down the stream of time, a detailed account may be found in his work, from page 102 to 106. " 3
Carew Castle is located in Pembrokeshire, Wales that still stands today and has been held by the Carew family since it was built by Gerald de Winsor who took the name "de Carew" about 1100. " About the year 1300, by the marriage of Sir John de Carru with the coheiress of Mohun, this ancient family first became connected with the county of Devon." 2
One branch of the family was found at Beddington in Surrey from ancient times. "The church [of Beddington], beautifully situated in Beddington Park, close to the ancient mansion, is a handsome edifice with a fine tower, chiefly in the later English style; it was built in the reign of Richard II., and contains some monuments to the memory of the Carew family." 4
"Harrowbear, or Harroburrow, [in the parish of Calstock, Cornwall] formerly a seat of the Carews of Antony, is now a farm house, and is the property of Mr. John Worth." 3
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carrew research. Another 178 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1050, 1280, 1323, 1324, 1362, 1363, 1380, 1513, 1514, 1545, 1551, 1555, 1568, 1575, 1580, 1590, 1595, 1609, 1620, 1622, 1626, 1629, 1635, 1639, 1643, 1644, 1660, 1672, 1692, 1693, 1745, 1759 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Carrew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Carew, Carrott, Carrow, Carrowe and others.
Notable amongst the family at this time was Hugo Carew, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1380; Lord George Carew, 1st Earl of Totnes (1555-1629), who served under Queen Elizabeth I during the Tudor conquest of Ireland and was appointed President of Munster; Richard Carew (1555-1620) was a Cornish translator and antiquary; Thomas Carew (1595-1639), one of the best of the Cavalier poets, courtier of King Charles I; Sir George Carew, captain of the Mary Rose, was killed in her sinking in 1545 against a French attack; Sir Richard Carew, 1st Baronet (ca. 1580-1643), of Antony in Cornwall, an English writer and...
Another 124 words (9 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Carrew Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Another 209 words (15 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Carrew or a variant listed above: