Thirlwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Thirlwell was first found in Northumberland, where they held a family seat at Thirlwall Castle on the bank of the River Tipalt which dates back to about the 12th-century castle. It was fortified in about 1330 by John Thirlwall.

"Thirlewall Castle, now a picturesque ruin in Northumberland, near Gilsland Spa, was the residence of the family in early times. Thirlwall is on, and derives its name from, the celebrated Roman Wall, which at this point was thirled or bored through (Anglo-Saxon: thryrlian.)" 1

In 1999, the Northumberland National Park Authority took over the management of the castle to prevent further decay. Another source provides a cleared understanding of the etymology of the place name. "It has its name from the Roman thralling or barrier wall running through it, to thirl, in the old Northumberland dialect, signifying to bind or enthral. Its proprietors in remote times were called barons, and held under the kings of Scotland as lords of Tindale. The church of Hexham acquired lands here at an early period; the Swinburnes had possessions within the manor in the time of Edward I., and, by marriage with the Thirlwalls, became possessed of the whole estate, which they afterwards sold to Henry, Earl of Carlisle. Mention of a castle first occurs in 1369." 2