Dewland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Dewland

What does the name Dewland mean?

The name Dewland came to England with the ancestors of the Dewland family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Dewland family lived in Devon. This family was originally from Douai, near Lille, Normandy, and it is from this location that their surname derives.

Early Origins of the Dewland family

The surname Dewland was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Dewland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dewland research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Dewland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dewland Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Dewey, Dewy, Dewye and others.

Early Notables of the Dewland family

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

Migration of the Dewland family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Dewland or a variant listed above: George Dewey who settled in Bristol Rhode Island in 1820; John Dewey settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860; S.L. B.B. and A.T. Dewey and his wife, all arrived in San Francisco Cal. in 1850.