The surname Honeywod was first found in Kent at "Henewood, near Postling where the ancestors of this family resided as early as the reign of Henry III." [1] The family name was first referenced in the 12th century when they held a family seat at Honywood, Elmsted, and Lenham.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Honeywod research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1600, 1106, 1548, 1455, 1487, 1604, 1619, 1625, 1632, 1743, 1527, 1620, 1527, 1543, 1586, 1666, 1654, 1656, 1632, 1601, 1686, 1659, 1677, 1752, 1597, 1681 and 1597 are included under the topic Early Honeywod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Honeywod 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: Honeywood, Honiwood, Huniwood, Honywood, Hunywood and many more.
Distinguished members of the family include Mary Honywood (1527-1620), daughter and coheiress of Robert Waters, Esquire, of Lenham, Kent, was born at that place in 1527. "In 1543, being then in her sixteenth year, she married Robert Honywood, Esquire, of Charing, and afterwards of Marks Hall, Essex, by whom she had sixteen children. Mrs. Honywood was chiefly celebrated for her longevity, and for the unprecedentedly large number of lineal descendants whom she lived to see. By her sixteen children she had 114 grandchildren, 228 great-grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren, 367 in all. " [2]
Sir Thomas Honeywood (1586-1666), an English politician who sat...
Another 110 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Honeywod Notables 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 Honeywods to arrive on North American shores: John Honywood, who arrived in America in 1638-1639; Philip Honywood, who settled in Virginia in 1649; Hen Honywood, who settled in Virginia in 1670; Wel Honywood, who arrived in Virginia in 1675.