Show ContentsKerswald History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Kerswald

What does the name Kerswald mean?

The proud Kerswald family originated in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. In early times, people were known by only a single name. However, as the population grew and people traveled further afield, it became increasingly necessary to assume an additional name to differentiate between bearers of the same personal name. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Kerswald family originally lived in the county of Devon, at Kerswell.

Early Origins of the Kerswald family

The surname Kerswald was first found in the county of Devon, at Abbot's Kerswell, or King's Kerswell, parishes, in the union of Newton-Abbott, hundred of Haytor. 1

It was here that the first record of the family was found, namely Basilia de Caswella in the Pipe Rolls of 1165. A few years later, Tomas de Cressewella was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1190 and Riginald de Kersewell was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Oxfordshire in 1212. In Worcestershire, we found William de Kereswell in the Assize Rolls for 1221 and back in Devon, Richard de Carswall and William de Karswille were listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. In Somerset, Robert de Carswell was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 2

"Kerswell of Kerswell is noticed by Norden, as being one of the principal houses of his day, but we have not been able to ascertain in what part of the county Kerswell was situated." 3

In Scotland, the name was typically began with a "C", but some records show that the "K" was frequented too. "William Kersseuyle or Cresseuyle had confirmation of a charter of lands in the barony of Roberton in the sheriffdom of Lanark, 1373. Johannes de Kerswell witnessed a notarial instrument in 1413." 4

Early History of the Kerswald family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kerswald research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1212, 1221, 1273, 1598 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Kerswald History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kerswald Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Kerswell, Kersewell, Kereswell, Kareswalle and many more.

Early Notables of the Kerswald family

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

Migration of the Kerswald family

A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Kerswald: Robert Kerswell, who sailed to Barbados in 1654; Richard Kerswell, who came to Nevis in 1663; Walter Kerswell, who arrived in Virginia in 1663 and Joane Kerswell, who went to Jamaica in 1684..
  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. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)

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