Estwood History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Estwood is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family 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 Estwood family

The surname Estwood 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 Estwood family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Estwood 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 Estwood History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Estwood 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. Estwood has been spelled many different ways, including Eastwood, Eastwoods, Estwoud, Estwude, Eastwude and many more.

Early Notables of the Estwood 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 Estwood Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Estwood family to Ireland

Some of the Estwood 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.

Estwood migration to the United States +

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 Estwoods to arrive in North America:

Estwood Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mary Estwood, who arrived in Virginia in 1666 4

Estwood Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Thomas Estwood, who landed in Virginia in 1717 4

The Estwood 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.

Citations +

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