The name Thew can be traced to the ancient Celtic culture of
Wales. The surname Thew is derived from the
Welsh word "tew," which means "portly" or "plump," and was most likely originally a
nickname for a heavy-set person.
Early Origins of the Thew family
The surname Thew was first found in
Cardiganshire (Welsh: Sir Aberteifi), the former Kingdom of Ceredigion, created as a county in 1282 by
Edward I, and located on the West coast of
Wales, where they held a
family seat anciently. Traditionally they claim descent from
Rhodri Mawr, the first great King of
Wales through Lord Rhys, Prince of South
Wales. Gwenllian, daughter of John Tew married Dafydd Llywellyn Lloyd of Castle Howel, first knight of the shire for Cardiganshire.
Early History of the Thew family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Thew research.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1654, 1718, 1714, 1715, 1650 and 1695 are included under the topic Early Thew History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Thew Spelling Variations
Although there are not an extremely large number
Welsh surnames, there are an inordinately large number of
spelling variations of those surnames. This variety of spellings began almost immediately after the acceptance of surnames within
Welsh society. As time progressed, these old Brythonic names were eventually were recorded in English. This process was problematic in that many of the highly inflected sounds of the native language of
Wales could not be properly captured in English. Some families, however, did decide to modify their own names to indicate a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even a patriotic affiliation. The name Thew has seen various spelling variations: Tew, Tews, Tewell, Tewel, Tuel, Tuell and others.
Early Notables of the Thew family (pre 1700)
Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was John Tew of Cardigan; Henry Tew (1654-1718), early American 16th Deputy Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (1714-1715); and Thomas Tew
(c. 1650-1695), American pirate who gained notoriety in the Red Sea...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Thew Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Thew family to Ireland
Some of the Thew family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 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 Thew family to the New World and Oceana
In the 1800s and 1900s, many
Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Thew Richard Tew, who settled in Newport R.I. in 1641; John Tew, who came to Virginia in 1650; Charles Tew, who came to Maryland in 1760; William Tewell was on record in St. Mary’.
Contemporary Notables of the name Thew (post 1700)
- Harvey Francis Thew (1883-1946), American screenwriter, best known for his work on The Winning of Sally Temple (1917) and later The Public Enemy (1931); he had 92 credits to his name
- Daniel Thew, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Orange County, 1792-93 [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html - Charles N. Thew (b. 1867), American politician, Delegate to Michigan State Constitutional Convention 8th District, 1907-08 [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html - Julian "Yoyo" Thew, English professional poker player who as of 2011 had amassed 2,600,000 in winnings
- Robert Thew (1758-1802), English engraver from Patrington, Holderness, Yorkshire, he rose to become historical engraver to the Prince of Wales
- Linda McCullough Thew (1918-2013), British author of short stories and books, best known for her memoir entitled The Pit Village and the Store, which was later dramatized for British television
- Manora Alice Thew (1891-1987), born in Negapatam, Madras, an English actress, known for At the Villa Rose (1920), The Polar Star (1919) and The Man and the Moment (1918)