Show ContentsTrewhitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Trewhitt surname comes from the place name Trewhitt in Northumberland; the first bearer of this surname was most likely someone who had come from that place to a new location.

Early Origins of the Trewhitt family

The surname Trewhitt was first found in Northumberland where the original reference of the name was found at High Trewhitt, and Low Trewhitt, townships, in the parish and union of Rothbury.

Originally named Tirwit (c. 1150-1162), the name possibly meant "river-bend where wood is obtained" 1 These small townships have grown little in size since early times as late as the mid 1800s, there were only 130 inhabitants there.

But looking back, other records show Sir Herculus de Trywhitt was knighted by Duke William in 1068 and granted the lands of Tyrwhitt or Terwit, however there is no record of the place in the Domesday Book.

Later John de Tyrwyt was listed in the Assize Rolls of Northumberland in 1296 and William Tyrwhit was listed in there in 1383. 2 The parish of Stainfield in Lincolnshire was an ancient homestead of the family. "There are some remains of an ancient mansion of the Tyrwhitt family, now occupied as a farmhouse." 3

Early History of the Trewhitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Trewhitt research. Another 209 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1428, 1577, 1598, 1611, 1624, 1628, 1633, 1663, 1667, 1688, 1708, 1730, 1741, 1760, 1786, 1808 and 1919 are included under the topic Early Trewhitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Trewhitt Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Trywhitt, Terwitt, Trewitt, Trewhitt, Truitt, Terwit, Truet and many more.

Early Notables of the Trewhitt family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Philip Tyrwhitt, 1st Baronet (d. 1624) of Stainfield in Lincolnshire; Sir Edward Tyrwhitt, 2nd Baronet (1577-1628); Sir Philip Tyrwhitt, 3rd Baronet (1598-c. 1667); Sir...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Trewhitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Trewhitt migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Trewhitt Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Stephen C. Trewhitt, aged 24, who landed in America, in 1909
  • Norah May Trewhitt, aged 19, who settled in America from Pinner, England, in 1913
  • Philip Claude Trewhitt, aged 13, who immigrated to the United States from Pinner, England, in 1913

Canada Trewhitt migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Trewhitt Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Stephen Cornell Trewhitt, aged 24, who settled in Winnipeg, Canada, in 1913

Contemporary Notables of the name Trewhitt (post 1700) +

  • Philip Trewhitt, American author, known for his books about armored fighting vehicles


The Trewhitt 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: Time tryeth truth
Motto Translation: Time tests faith


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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