Chitwent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The present generation of the Chitwent family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having 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

Early Origins of the Chitwent family

The surname Chitwent was first found in Shropshire at Chetwynd, a rural civil parish just to the north of Newport. 2 3 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. "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. He was living 1141, and was father of Robert de Verlai, who, with his father, gave Verlai Church, Normandy, to Essay Abbey, which grant was confirmed by Henry II. (not Henry I. as erroneously stated in Gallia Christiana, xi. 234, Instr.). The next in descent was Adam de Chetwynd, 1180-1203; and in his time the barony, consisting of two knights' fees, was placed by the Crown under the feudal suzerainty of the Fitz-Alans" 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Adam de Chetewynde, Salop (Shropshire); and John de Chetewind, Salop. 2 And this noted author goes on to note that "the following entries practically prove that Chatwin is a variant of Chetwynd: Thomas Chetwen, or Chetwyn, 1511: Register of the University of Oxford; and Edward Chetwind, or 'Chetwine,' 1596. 2

A search through other early rolls proved to be fruitful: Richard de Chetewynde was listed in the Assize Rolls for Staffordshire in 1268; William de Chetwynde was found in the Feet of Fines for Warwickshire in 1343; and William Chetwyn, Chetwynd was listed in Yorkshire in 1415. 5

Early History of the Chitwent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chitwent research. Another 143 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1318, 1584, 1586, 1633, 1638, 1643, 1676, 1678, 1680, 1684, 1689, 1693, 1695, 1701, 1702, 1717, 1736, 1767 and 1770 are included under the topic Early Chitwent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chitwent Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Chitwent include Chetwynd, Chetwyn, Chetwynde, Chetwin, Chitwyn and others.

Early Notables of the Chitwent family

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 1689 to 1695, and again in 1701 and 1702...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chitwent Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chitwent family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Chitwent were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Chetwin who settled in Jamaica in 1684.

The Chitwent 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.

Citations +

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)
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
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)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)