Show ContentsGathwaite History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Gathwaite Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Early Origins of the Gathwaite family

The surname Gathwaite was first found in Durham where they held a family seat on the English/Scottish border. After the Norman Conquest of England many of Duke William's rebellious Barons moved north. The border became a convenient no-man's land. Notable families such as the Percy, the Umfravilles and the Nevilles gathered many supporting clans around them. In the 16th century they became known as the 'unruly clans'. In that century, many of those clans drove their herds south, and they settled in Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name was first recorded in the 14th century.

Early History of the Gathwaite family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gathwaite research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gathwaite History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gathwaite Spelling Variations

Although the name, Gathwaite, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Garthwaite, Gartwaite, Garthwhite, Garthwait and many more.

Early Notables of the Gathwaite family

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

Migration of the Gathwaite family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Gathwaite family name Gathwaite, or who bore a variation of the surname were settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.

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