Show ContentsCulverwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Culverwell is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a keeper of doves or pigeons. The surname Culverwell is derived from the Old English word culfrehus, which literally means dove-house. The name refers to a dovecote, which is a structure for doves or pigeons to roost and breed in. The name Culverwell was originally applied to the keeper of such a structure. "Pigeon-houses were attached to all large establishments; many of them still exist." [1]

Early Origins of the Culverwell family

The surname Culverwell was first found in Somerset, where Henry atte Colverhouse and Roger atte Colverhous were both listed 1 Edward III (during the first year of Keng Edward III's reign.) [2]

Early History of the Culverwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Culverwell research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1266, 1309, 1327, 1582, 1619, 1651 and 1653 are included under the topic Early Culverwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Culverwell 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 Culverwell has appeared include Culverhouse, Colverhous, Colverhouse, Cullerverous, Culverwell and many more.

Early Notables of the Culverwell family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Nathaniel Culverwell (Culverwel) (1619-1651), was an English author and theologian from Middlesex...

Migration of the Culverwell family

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 Culverwell arrived in North America very early: William Culverhouse who arrived in Maryland in 1680.


Contemporary Notables of the name Culverwell (post 1700) +

  • Annabell Krebs Culverwell (1902-1998), née Krebs, an American painter and writer who signed her works with the name Columba; her father was Stanley LeFevre Krebs, the American psychologist and salesmanship lecturer
  • Mary Cortland Culverwell, English third wife of Greville Patrick Charles Howard, Baron Howard of Rising
  • Andrew Culverwell (b. 1944), English Christian music artist and songwriter from Somerset, England, active in the 1970s and 1980s
  • Anthony John Culverwell, birth name of DJ Switch, a British DJ and turntablist, three-time World DJ Champion, and first DJ to perform at the BBC Proms
  • Cyril Thomas Culverwell (1895-1963), British Conservative Party politician, Member of Parliament for Bristol West (1928-1945)


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.


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