Show ContentsGilingwith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gilingwith family

The surname Gilingwith was first found in Northumberland where Killingworth is a township in the parish of Long Benton. "It is situated on a commanding eminence, in the midst of a fertile and pleasing tract of country. An extensive colliery belonging to Lord Ravensworth and partners is in full operation, employing about 600 men and boys." 1

Early rolls revealed: Adam de Kellyngworthe in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273; and Thomas de Killingworth was vicar of Windham as listed in the Feet of Fines of 1388. 2

John Chillingworth (fl. 1360), was an early English "mathematician, a fellow of Merton College, Oxford, where he studied with great diligence, and founded a school of zealous promoters of mathematical inquiries. He wrote learned treatises on astrology, rejected the extravagances, but retaining what he judged to be the sane substratum, of the science." 3

John Chillingworth (d. 1445), was another English "astronomer, who trod in the footsteps and inherited the fame of his predecessor of the same name, with whom he has sometimes been confounded. Like him, he was a fellow of Merton College, Oxford, and like him he cultivated with especial predilection mathematical studies. " 3

The Feet of Fines of 1561 list Thomas de Killingworth, in Norfolk. 4

Early History of the Gilingwith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gilingwith research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1618, 1620, 1628 and 1644 are included under the topic Early Gilingwith History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gilingwith Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Gilingwith occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Killingworth, Chillingworth, Shillingworth and others.

Early Notables of the Gilingwith family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was William Chillingworth (1602-1644), English theologian, the son of a well-to-do citizen of Oxford, who afterwards held the office of mayor, and must have been a man of literary or theological interests, as Laud, at that time fellow of St. John's College, acted as...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gilingwith Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gilingwith 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 illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Gilingwith, or a spelling variation of the surname include: Richard Chillingworth who settled in Virginia in 1774; Edward Killingworth settled in Maryland in 1691.



  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)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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