Churchwood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Churchwood is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a verger, who was responsible for showing the congregation to their seats and for the upkeep of the church buildings and surrounding grounds.

Early Origins of the Churchwood family

The surname Churchwood was first found in Gloucestershire, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Churchwood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Churchwood research. Another 27 words (2 lines of text) covering the year 1275 is included under the topic Early Churchwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Churchwood Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Churchwood has appeared include Churchward, Chirchewart, Cyrceweard, Circwoerd and others.

Early Notables of the Churchwood family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Churchwood Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Churchwood migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Churchwood arrived in North America very early:

Churchwood Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Allen George Churchwood, who landed in Arkansas in 1900 [1]

The Churchwood 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: Suaviter in modo
Motto Translation: Gentle in manner.

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)