Tetlow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Tetlow

What does the name Tetlow mean?

The name Tetlow is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in the village of Tetley found in the counties of Lancashire and Cheshire. Tetlow is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. During the Middle Ages, as society became more complex, individuals needed a way to be distinguishable from others. Toponymic surnames were developed as a result of this need. Various features in the landscape or area were used to distinguish people from one another. In this case the surname Tetlow was originally derived from the Old English personal name Taeta from the Old Norse word Teitr meaning cheerful and the Old English word leah menaing wood clearing. In this case the original bearers of the surname Tetlow were named due to their close proximity to Taeta's wood clearing.

Early Origins of the Tetlow family

The surname Tetlow was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, before and after the Norman Conquest of 1066.

Early History of the Tetlow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tetlow research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tetlow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tetlow Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Tetlow were recorded, including Tetley, Tetlow, Tetlaw, Titley and others.

Early Notables of the Tetlow family

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

Tetlow migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Tetlow family emigrate to North America:

Tetlow Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Tetlow, who settled in Virginia in 1635

Tetlow Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James, John, Thomas, and William Tetlow, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1860 and 1880

Contemporary Notables of the name Tetlow (post 1700) +

William James "Jim" Tetlow (b. 1955), American Daytime Emmy Award winning television and theatrical lighting designer
Sonia Tetlow, American songwriter and musician
Brigadier Stephen John Tetlow MBE (b. 1954), British engineer and former senior British Army officer

The Tetlow 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: Praemium virtutis honor
Motto Translation: Honor is the reward of virtue.