The name Chitwant is an old
Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in Salop (now Shropshire) where they derived their family name from the parish of Chetwynde. The place-name is derived from the Old English compound word which means "dweller at the winding ascent."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)Early Origins of the Chitwant family
The surname Chitwant was first found in
Shropshire at Chetwynd, a rural civil parish just to the north of Newport. The original Chetwynd manor dates back to Saxon times and was held by Leofric, Earl of Mercia, about 1050. While there is no doubt of the family's Saxon heritage, we must consider the Norman "Chetwynd or De Verlai, from Verlai, Normandy." Continuing, "in 1086, Turold de Verlai held thirteen lordships in Salop from Earl Roger, of which Chetwynd appears to have been the chief. Robert his son was a
Baron temp. Henry I., and before 1121 witnessed a charter in favour of Salop Abbey."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Early History of the Chitwant family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chitwant research.
Another 285 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1318, 1676, 1638, 1584, 1586, 1633, 1693, 1643, 1702, 1689, 1695, 1701, 1702, 1717, 1678, 1736, 1680, 1767, 1684 and 1770 are included under the topic Early Chitwant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Chitwant Spelling Variations
Before the last few
hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason,
spelling variations are commonly found in early
Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Chitwant were recorded, including Chetwynd, Chetwyn, Chetwynde, Chetwin, Chitwyn and others.
Early Notables of the Chitwant family (pre 1700)
Notables of the family at this time include Walter Chetwynd (died 1638), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Newcastle under Lyme (1584-1586); Walter Chetwynd
FRS (1633-1693), of Ingestre Hall, an English antiquary and politician; and John Chetwynd (1643-1702), an English politician from Rudge,
Shropshire, Member of Parliament for Stafford from...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chitwant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Chitwant family to the New World and Oceana
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from
England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Chitwant family emigrate to North America: Thomas Chetwin who settled in Jamaica in 1684.
The Chitwant 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: Probitas verus honos
Motto Translation: Probity is true honor.