Atworthay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins and Etymology of Atworthay

The surname Atworthay was first found in Wiltshire at Atworth, a tything and chapelry, in the parish of Great Bradford, union and hundred of Bradford that dates back to 1001 when it was listed as Attenwrthe. The place name literally means "enclosure or a man called Atta," from the Old English personal name + "worth." 1 An ancient Roman villa was located here and is one of six within approximately a three-mile radius. As far as the surname is concerned, the first records were found on the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where Geoffery de Attewurth and William de Attewurthe were both listed in Wiltshire. 2

Early History of the Atworthay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Atworthay research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Atworthay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Atworthay Spelling Variations

Atworthay has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Atworth, Attworth, Attworthy, Atworthe, Atworthy, Atworthy, Atteworth and many more.

Early Notables of the Atworthay family

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

Migration of the Atworthay family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Atworthays to arrive on North American shores: H. G. Atworthy, aged 27, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1921.

Sources +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)