Elwode Surname, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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The name Elwode is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from an ancient Chieftain titled Aldwold.

Elwode Early Origins

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The surname Elwode was first found in Gloucestershire at Ellwood, a hamlet in the Forest of Dean district. It is thought that the name could have had two origins: as a local name, as in someone from the aforementioned village; and having derived from the Old English personal name Aelfweald which has the elements oelf meaning "elf" + weald meaning "rule." "Several tenants in chief in the Domesday [Book] are called Alwoldus or Aldwold, a contraction of the Anglo-Saxon Aethelwald. "

Elwode Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Elwode has been spelled many different ways, including Elwood, Ellwood, Ellward, Elward and others.

Elwode Early History

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elwode research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1639 and 1713 are included under the topic Early Elwode History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elwode Early Notables (pre 1700)

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Elwode Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elwode In Ireland

Some of the Elwode family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 105 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

The Great Migration

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Elwodes to arrive in North America: Ralph Ellwood who settled in New England in 1635; Cipper Ellwood settled in Jamaica in 1685; Thomas Ellwood settled in Pennsylvania in 1682 with his wife and son and daughter.

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: Fide et sedulitate
Motto Translation: With faith and diligence.

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Citations

^ Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
^ Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

Other References

Browning, Charles H. Americans of Royal Descent. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing. Print.
Zieber, Eugene. Heraldry in America. Philadelphia: Genealogical Publishing Co. Print.
Skordas, Guest. Ed. The Early Settlers of Maryland an Index to Names or Immigrants Complied from Records of Land Patents 1633-1680 in the Hall of Records Annapolis, Maryland. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1968. Print.
Holt, J.C. Ed. Domesday Studies. Woodbridge: Boydell, 1987. Print. (ISBN 0-85115-477-8).
Magnusson, Magnus. Chambers Biographical Dictionary 5th edition. Edinburgh: W & R Chambers, 1990. Print.
Burke, Sir Bernard. Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage and Baronetage, The Privy Council, Knightage and Compainonage. London: Burke Publishing, 1921. Print.
Burke, Sir Bernard. Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry: Including American Families with British Ancestry. (2 Volumes). London: Burke Publishing, 1939. Print.
Elster, Robert J. International Who's Who. London: Europa/Routledge. Print.
Matthews, John. Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. London: John Matthews, 1911. Print.
Filby, P. William and Mary K Meyer. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index in Four Volumes. Detroit: Gale Research, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8).
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The Elwode Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Elwode Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

This page was last modified on 14 September 2015 at 16:07.