Dinwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Etymology of Dinwell

What does the name Dinwell mean?

The earliest origins of the name Dinwell are with the Viking settlers of the early Middle Ages; the surname having come from a place named by the Vikings It is a name for someone who lived at Royal Burgh of Dingwall, in Ross-shire, Scotland. The place-name is derived from the Old English word dingle, which meant valley or hollow. This is a habitation surname, derived from an already existing place-name.

Early Origins of the Dinwell family

The surname Dinwell was first found in Ross-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rois) a former county, now part of the Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles in Northern Scotland, which emerged from the Gaelic lordship of the Earl of Ross, where John Yonger of Dyngvale witnessed a charter by William, Earl of Ross in 1342. Another charter by the same earl was witnessed by John called Yong and Thomas, his brother (c. 1350-72.) A few years later, William of Dyngwale was listed as dean of Aberdeen and Ross in 1389. Thomas of Dyngvale was listed as a canon in 1451. 1

Early History of the Dinwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dinwell research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1452 and 1538 are included under the topic Early Dinwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dinwell Spelling Variations

Medieval scribes most often spelled names by the way they sounded. spelling variations, are thus, very common in records dating from that time. Over the years, Dinwell has been spelled Dingwall, Dingwalls, Dingall, Dingell, Dingle, Dingill, Dingal, Dingel and many more.

Early Notables of the Dinwell family

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

Migration of the Dinwell family

The Scottish settlers spread out along the fertile land of the east coast of what would become the United States and Canada. They and many of their children went on to play important roles in the forging of the great nations of the United States and Canada. That heritage has been recovered by many in this century through Clan societies and other Scottish historical organizations. Archival documents indicate that members of the Dinwell family relocated to North American shores quite early: Donald Dingwall who was banished to Barbados in the year 1745. He was later transferred to the mainland.

The Dinwell 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: Deo favente
Motto Translation: By the favour of God.

Sources +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)