Show ContentsEllwel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ellwel family

The surname Ellwel was first found in Durham, at Elwick, a township, in the parish of Hart, union of Stockton. "Robert de Brus gave 'Ailewic' in 'Hertenes,' in frank marriage with his daughter Agatha, to Ralph, son of Ribald, of Middleham." 1

Records of the family are scant. The first record of the family was found in the Register of Freemen of the City of York in 1512 where Ralph Elwick was listed. John Ellyk was also listed in the same source in 1569. 2 Elwick Hall is a nearby parish.

Early History of the Ellwel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ellwel research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Ellwel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ellwel 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 Ellwel has undergone many spelling variations, including Elwick, Elswick, Elwyke, Elwike, Elswell, Ellswell, Ellswick and many more.

Early Notables of the Ellwel family

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

Migration of the Ellwel 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 Ellwel were among those contributors: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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