Show ContentsHonywod History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Honywod family

The surname Honywod 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.

Early History of the Honywod family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Honywod research. Another 182 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1527, 1543, 1548, 1586, 1597, 1600, 1601, 1604, 1619, 1620, 1625, 1632, 1654, 1656, 1659, 1666, 1677, 1681, 1686, 1743 and 1752 are included under the topic Early Honywod History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Honywod Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Honywod have been found, including Honeywood, Honiwood, Huniwood, Honywood, Hunywood and many more.

Early Notables of the Honywod family

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 Honywod Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Honywod family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Honywod, or a variant listed above: 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.



The Honywod 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: Omne bonum desuper
Motto Translation: Every good is from above.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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