| ![Show Contents]() Kentwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the Kentwell surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in Kentwell, in the county of Suffolk. Kentwell dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Kanewella, part of the lands held by Frodo, the Abbot's Brother. "Aelfgar held Kentwell freely under Siward of Maldon as a manor with 2 carucates of land with Soke. There were thereon at that time 7 villans, and afterwards, and now 4 villans." 1 Today, Kentwell Hall is a stately home in Long Melford, Suffolk and is used for numerous film and television productions, However, it does date back to presumably the manor mentioned in the Domesday Book but in a very different form. Kentwell Hall was owned later by Galleus from 1145 to 1148. In the early 13th century, records show that Sir Gilbert de Kentewell held the manor, but by 1252 had been granted by King Henry III to Sir William de Valence. Early Origins of the Kentwell familyThe surname Kentwell was first found in Suffolk where the earliest records were in the year 1273 when Gilbert de Kentwelle was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls. This is presumed to be the senior line of the family name but they held a family seat there from a very early date, probably the 10th century. Early History of the Kentwell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kentwell research. Another 29 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1319, 1406, 1452 and 1500 are included under the topic Early Kentwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kentwell Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Kentwell include Cantwall, Cantwell, Cantwel, Kantwell, Kentwell and many more. Early Notables of the Kentwell familyMore information is included under the topic Early Kentwell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Kentwell family to Ireland
Some of the Kentwell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 185 words (13 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Kentwell familyA great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Cantwell settled in Virginia in 1623; Mary Cantwell settled in Pennsylvania in 1685; Edward, Joseph, Leonard, Mathias, Michael, and Patrick all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870..
| Contemporary Notables of the name Kentwell (post 1700) | + |
- W.H. Kentwell, Australian President of the Mosman Rugby Club in 1923, eponym of the Kentwell Cup
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
|
England
Ireland
