Chitwoode History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The origins of the Chitwoode name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Chetwood, a parish, in the union, hundred, and county of Buckingham. "The church, made parochial in 1480, is remarkable for some beautiful specimens of stained glass, formerly belonging to a priory of Augustine monks, founded by Sir Ralph de Norwich in 1244, and which was dissolved on account of its poverty in 1460, and annexed to the abbey of Nutley. There was also a hermitage dedicated to St. Stephen and St. Lawrence, founded by a member of the Chetwode family, the representative of which claims suit and service, by prescriptive right, over this place and some neighbouring hamlets, that are said to have been included within the limits of an ancient forest of 1000 acres, called Rockwood." 1

The family was "seated at Chetwode, co. Bucks, as early as the Conquest. There soon after, Robert de Chetwode founded a priory. The family resided at Chetwode for more than twenty generations." 2

Early Origins of the Chitwoode family

The surname Chitwoode 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." 3

In Cheshire, "Sir John Chetwode, Bart., is lord of the manor, and principal landed proprietor [of Lower Whitley]." 1

Early feudal rolls provided the king of the time a method of cataloguing holdings for taxation, but today they provide a glimpse into the wide surname spellings in use at that time. Robert de Chetewod was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1206 in Warwickshire and Ralph de Chetwode was found in the Feet of Fines for Kent in 1262. John de Chetwode was found in the Feet of Fines for Surrey (1346-1347). 4

Early History of the Chitwoode family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chitwoode research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1650, 1720 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Chitwoode History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chitwoode 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 Chitwoode were recorded, including Chetwode, Chetwood, Chetwoode, Chitwood, Chitwode and others.

Early Notables of the Chitwoode family

Distinguished members of the family include Knightly Chetwood (1650-1720), Dean of Gloucester, the eldest son of Valentine Chetwode of Chetwood, by Mary, daughter of Francis Shute, Esq. of Upton, Leicestershire, and grandson of Richard Chetwode, Esq. of Oakley in Staffordshire...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Chitwoode Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chitwoode family to Ireland

Some of the Chitwoode family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 44 words (3 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 Chitwoode family

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 Chitwoode family emigrate to North America: Marie Chittwood who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635; John Chitwood settled in Barbados in 1694; William Chitwood settled in Virginia in 1636.

The Chitwoode 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.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)