Lawthwait History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Lawthwait

What does the name Lawthwait mean?

The ancestors of the name Lawthwait date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Lawthwait family lived in Lewthwaite, a village in Cumberland. The place-name Lewthwaite is derived from the Old English words hlæw, which meant "burial mound," and thwaite, which meant "cleared land, pasture land." The name as a whole meant "burial mounds in the fields." The family name is derived from the name of the village.

Early Origins of the Lawthwait family

The surname Lawthwait was first found in Cumberland where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Lawthwait family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lawthwait research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lawthwait History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lawthwait Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Lawthwait are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Lawthwait include: Lewthwaite, Laithwaite, Lawthwaite and others.

Early Notables of the Lawthwait family

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

Migration of the Lawthwait family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Lawthwait or a variant listed above: John Lewthwaite settled in Virginia in 1775.

The Lawthwait 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: Tendens ad aethera virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue aspirng toward heaven.