The Anglo-Saxon name Estwoold comes from the family having resided 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. 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.
The surname Estwoold was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat from early times.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Estwoold research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1221, 1279, 1339 and 1658 are included under the topic Early Estwoold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Estwoold has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Eastwood, Eastwoods, Estwoud, Estwude, Eastwude and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Estwoold Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Estwoold 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.
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Estwoolds to arrive on North American shores: 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..