Trelawnie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Atlantic Ocean to the north and west and the English Channel to the south borders Cornwall, the homeland to the Trelawnie family name. Even though the usage of surnames was common during the Middle Ages, all English people were known only by a single name in early times. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames are derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. The Trelawnie family originally lived at Trelawny in the county of Cornwall. The name literally means "an open or clean town." 1

"This ancient and truly respectable family, are supposed to have descended from Hamelin, who held Treleon and several other manors under the Earl of Moreton, when Doomsday Survey was taken. They derive their name from the manor of Trelawny in Alternon, which was the ancient family residence." 1

Early Origins of the Trelawnie family

The surname Trelawnie was first found in Cornwall at Trelawny where "two manors so called exist in Cornwall, and are situated respectively in the parish of Alternon and Pelynt. The former was the original seal of the Trelawnys, probably before the Conquest, and here they remained till the extinction of the elder branch in the reign of Henry VI." 2 3

The famous Sir Jonathan Trelawny, 3rd Baronet (1650-1721) was born at Trelawne (Trelawny) in the parish of Pelynt, Cornwall. The Cornish national anthem is based on his ordeal. Trelawne House in the Pelynt parish dates back to the 13th century as was held at time by various member of the family.

The fictional Squire John Trelawney is a supporting character from Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island.

The Trelevan or Treleaven variant hails from nearby Trelaven or Trelevan in Mevagissey, Cornwall "which belonged for several generations to the family of Trewolla, of Trewolla in St. Goran; or from Trelaven in St. Dennis. The Trelevans held Mudgeon in St. Martin's in Meneage," 4

Early History of the Trelawnie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trelawnie research. Another 204 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1397, 1413, 1420, 1421, 1449, 1563, 1568, 1589, 1592, 1598, 1615, 1623, 1630, 1633, 1634, 1636, 1643, 1646, 1650, 1659, 1664, 1666, 1680, 1681, 1682, 1688, 1691, 1706, 1721, 1756 and 1824 are included under the topic Early Trelawnie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trelawnie Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Trelawny, Trelawney and others.

Early Notables of the Trelawnie family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John Trelawny I, English politician, Member of Parliament for Bodmin in 1397; and his son, John Trelawny II, Member of Parliament for Cornwall (1413-1421); and his son, John Trelawny III, Member of Parliament for Liskeard in 1421 and Lostwithiel in 1449.Continuing this line was John Trelawny (died 1563), Member of Parliament for Liskeard; and his son, John Trelawny (died 1568), Member of Parliament for Lostwithiel and Cornwall, High Sheriff of Cornwall; Sir John Trelawny, 1st Baronet (1592-1664), Royalist during the English Civil War; John Trelawny (died 1680), Member of Parliament for West Looe...
Another 199 words (14 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trelawnie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Trelawnie family

The records on immigrants and ships' passengers show a number of people bearing the name Trelawnie: Robert Trelawney settled in Virginia in 1643.

The Trelawnie 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: Sermoni consona facta
Motto Translation: Deeds agreeing with words.

Citations +

Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.