Show ContentsEastell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Eastell family

The surname Eastell was first found in Kent at Eastwell, a small hamlet and civil parish in the Borough of Ashford that dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Estwelle. [1] The place name literally means "eastern spring or stream," from the Old English "east" + "wic." [2] The local St Mary's Church is an ancient structure, completely restored and beautified by the Earl of Winchilsea, in 1844. It contains a tomb in memory of Richard Plantagenet, son of King Richard III, and who, having fled there after the Battle of Bosworth, was protected by Sir Thomas Moyle, lord of the manor. Today the church is in ruin and is designated by English Heritage as a Grade II listed building. The surname is descended from the tenant of the village and lands of Eastwell, held by Norman Baron Hugh de Montfort, who was recorded in the Domesday Book.

Early History of the Eastell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eastell research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1279, 1469 and 1550 are included under the topic Early Eastell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eastell Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Eastell, Estwell, Eastwall, Estwall, Eastwel, Estwel, Easwell and many more.

Early Notables of the Eastell family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Plantagenet or Richard of Eastwell (? 1469-1550) a reclusive bricklayer who claimed to be a son of Richard III, the last Plantagenet King of England. As a child he was visitied four times a year by a mysterious gentleman who paid for his upkeep. At...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eastell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Eastell family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Eastell or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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