Show ContentsCurnew History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Curnew

What does the name Curnew mean?

Among the earliest people to bear the Curnew name were the Curnew family, who lived in the county of Cornwall in southwest England.

Early Origins of the Curnew family

The surname Curnew was first found in Devon, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, long before the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Curnew family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Curnew research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1513, 1601 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Curnew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curnew Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Cornwall, Cornelle, Cornell, Cornwell, Cornewall, Cornal, Cornale, Cornevale, Carnwell, Carnewell, Carnville, Carnevale, Cornhall, Cornehall, Cornhale, Cornwale, Curnow (from native Cornish word) and many more.

Early Notables of the Curnew family

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

Migration of the Curnew family to Ireland

Some of the Curnew family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Curnew migration to Australia +

Curnew Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Curnew born in Cornwall, Cornwall, UK convicted in Surrey on 26th March 1838, sentenced for 7 years for stealing cart arms, transported aboard the ship "Coromandel" in 1838 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia 1
  • Mr. William Curnew, British Convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Curnew (post 1700) +

  • Faith Curnew, American actress, known for her roles in Foxfire (2012), The Town Christmas Forgot (2010) and Sophie & Sheba (2010)
  • Wayne Curnew, American actor, known for his roles in Kick-Ass (2010), Accidental Friendship (2008) and The Good Times Are Killing Me (2009)
  • Greg Curnew, Canadian Associate Clinical Professor at McMaster University, Canada


The Curnew 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: We beg you see warily


  1. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/tasmanian_convicts_cornish.pdf
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel


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