Show ContentsChatworthay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Chatworthay

What does the name Chatworthay mean?

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Chatworthay come from when the family resided 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 Chatworthay family

The surname Chatworthay 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 Chatworthay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chatworthay 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 Chatworthay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chatworthay Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Chatworthay has been recorded under many different variations, including Chadworth, Chatworth, Chaworth, Shadworth and others.

Early Notables of the Chatworthay 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 Chatworthay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chatworthay family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Chatworthay or a variant listed above: Thomas Chadworth who settled in Virginia in 1643; John Shadworth settled in New England in 1765.



  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.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook