Show ContentsEastwoods History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The lineage of the name Eastwoods begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a result of when they lived to the east of a wood, or perhaps in an eastern wood. It may also be derived from one of several possible villages named Eastwood. There is an Eastwood in Yorkshire, and there may have been one in Essex as well. 1 Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English words east (east) and wudu (wood), which continue to have the same meaning in Modern English.

Early Origins of the Eastwoods family

The surname Eastwoods was first found in Cambridgeshire where Adam de Estwde is first recorded in 1221. 2 A few years later, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 would provide clues to the widespread use of the name at that time: Jacob de Estwode, Suffolk; Walter de Estwode, Bedfordshire; and John de Estwode, Kent. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included entries for: Rogerus de Estwode; Johannes de Estwode; and Johannes de Estwode, et Sibota uxor ejus. 1

Further north in Scotland, the name is derived from "the old barony of the same name in Renfrewshire. Gilisius (Giles) de Estwode, a vassal of the Stewards, witnessed a charter by James the Steward of Scotland in 1294. In 1296, Giles or Gyles del Estwode of the county of Lanark rendered homage for his lands [to King Edward I of England]. The seal attached to his homage bears an acorn and leaves and S' Giliscie de Heesthwit. About 1313, de Estwod witnessed the grant by the High Steward of the church of Largyss to the monks of Paisley." 3

Early History of the Eastwoods family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eastwoods research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1279, 1339, 1658, 1824, 1846, 1847, 1849, 1862 and 1864 are included under the topic Early Eastwoods History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Eastwoods Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Eastwoods has undergone many spelling variations, including Eastwood, Eastwoods, Estwoud, Estwude, Eastwude and many more.

Early Notables of the Eastwoods family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Johathan Eastwood (1824-1864), topographer, was born in 1824. He studied at St. John's College, Cambridge, where, after obtaining both classical and mathematical honours, he took the two degrees in arts in 1846 and 1849 respectively. He entered holy orders in 1847, and was appointed curate of Ecclesfield, Yorkshire. He devoted his leisure to the study of local history and antiquity...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Eastwoods Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Eastwoods family to Ireland

Some of the Eastwoods family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Eastwoods family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Eastwoods were among those contributors: Richard Eastwood who purchased land in Virginia in 1642; Sarah Eastwood settled in South Carolina in 1774; Abraham, Daniel, David, Thomas, Walter and William Eastwood all settled in Pennsylvania in the mid-1800's..



The Eastwoods 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: Oriens sylva
Motto Translation: Rising from the wood.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. 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)


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