The Chitwold name has descended through the generations from the ancient
Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived in or near the settlement of Chetwood in the county of
Buckinghamshire. The Chitwold family is said to have resided there for at least 26 generations. The surname Chitwold belongs to the large category of
Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
Early Origins of the Chitwold family
The surname Chitwold was first found in
Buckinghamshire where they descend from Robert de Thain, who held Chetwode under the Bishop of Baieux in the time of William the Conqueror. John de Chetwode during the reign of Edward III married the heiress of Oakley, of Oakley of
Staffordshire. "This manor of Chetwode, as appears to me, has been in the possession and inheritance of the Chetwodes longer than any estate or manor in this county of Buckingham has continued the property of any other family now there existing."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print. "Sir John Chetwode, Bart., is lord of the manor, and principal landed proprietor [of Lower Whitley, Cheshire]."
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Chitwold family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chitwold research.
Another 183 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 179 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Chitwold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Chitwold Spelling Variations
Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Chitwold has undergone many
spelling variations, including Chetwode, Chetwood, Chetwoode, Chitwood, Chitwode and others.
Early Notables of the Chitwold family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Chitwold Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Chitwold family to Ireland
Some of the Chitwold family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Chitwold family to the New World and Oceana
To escape the unstable social climate in
England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Chitwold were among those contributors: Marie Chittwood who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635; John Chitwood settled in Barbados in 1694; William Chitwood settled in Virginia in 1636.
The Chitwold 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: Corona mea Christus
Motto Translation: Christ is my crown.