Dunwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The story of the Dunwell family stretches back through time to the Viking settlers who populated the rugged shores of Scotland in the Medieval era. The Dunwell name comes from a place named by these Vikings and was used by a family 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 Dunwell family

The surname Dunwell 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 Dunwell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dunwell research. Another 134 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1452, 140 and 1538 are included under the topic Early Dunwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Dunwell Spelling Variations

In the Middle Ages, no real standards were established to judge the accuracy of spelling and translation. They were done mostly by ear and intuition, and enormous numbers of spelling variations were the unsurprising result. Dunwell has appeared as Dingwall, Dingwalls, Dingall, Dingell, Dingle, Dingill, Dingal, Dingel and many more.

Early Notables of the Dunwell family (pre 1700)

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

Dunwell migration to the United States +

North America was far from Britain's oppressive monarchy. There, the Scottish found land and freedom, and many even the opportunity to pay back England in the American War of Independence. This brave heritage survives today largely in Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Dunwell family in North America:

Dunwell Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Dunwell, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [2]

Historic Events for the Dunwell family +

HMS Hood

Mr. William S Dunwell (b. 1902), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Leatherhead, Epsom, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking [3]

The Dunwell 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.

Citations +

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)
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)
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm