Northwold History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Northwold is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in or near "the north wood," as in the northernmost wood within a particular jurisdiction; or in one of the several places named Norwood or Northwood found throughout England. 1 Another source notes the name was derived from the words "north" + "wood." 2.

Early Origins of the Northwold family

The surname Northwold was first found in Devon, where Painot de Norwude was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1176. A few years later, Pipe Rolls for Kent include Alexander de Norwuda in 1190 and Geoffrey Northwud was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Norfolk in 1205. 3

Some of the family were found in the parish of Sittingbourne in Kent where: "It is an incident worthy of notice in the ancient history of this town, that Henry V. was entertained at the Red Lion here, by John Northwood, a gentleman resident in the vicinity, at the expense of nine shillings and ninepence." 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two listings for the family: Mauger de Northwode, Bedfordshire; and William de Northwode, Suffolk and later, the Yorkshirew Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Tillot de Northwode; and Johannes Norwode. 5

Early History of the Northwold family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Northwold research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1592, 1671, 1675, 1780 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Northwold History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Northwold Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Northwold has been spelled many different ways, including Norwood, Northwood, Norwold, Narwold and others.

Early Notables of the Northwold family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Northwold Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Northwold family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Northwolds to arrive in North America: Francis Norwood, who arrived in Boston in 1630; Richard Norwood settled in Virginia in 1643; Mary Norwood settled in Montserrat in 1685; Richard Norwood settled in Georgia in 1733..

The Northwold 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: Sub cruce vinces
Motto Translation: Under the cross, we shall conquer.

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)