| ![Show Contents]() Twiss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of TwissWhat does the name Twiss mean? The name Twiss originates in Lancashire at Twiss which derived its name from the Old English word "(ge)twis" meaning a "fork in the river." 1 In Scotland, the name is derived from the Scottish word "tywss" which was from the Old French word "toissu," meaning a girdle or sash. 2 The River Twiss is found in Yorkshire England, originating in the Yorkshire Dales. Early Origins of the Twiss familyThe surname Twiss was first found in Lancashire at Twiss. It is generally thought that this hamlet evolved to be named Twiss Green, in the parish of Newchurch-Kenyon. 3 It was here that Roger del Twysse was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1276. Later Jordan del Twys was similarly listed in 1416. 4 Early History of the Twiss familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Twiss research. Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1578, 1585, 1593, 1619, 1646, 1700, 1787, 1802, 1805 and 1849 are included under the topic Early Twiss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Twiss Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Twyss, Twysse, Twiss, Twisse, Twist, Twiste, Twyst and many more. Early Notables of the Twiss family- William Twisse (1578-1646), a prominent English clergyman and theologian who became Prolocutor of the Westminster Assembly. "The family name is variously spelled Twysse, Twiss, Twyste, and Twist. His...
- Horace Twiss (c. 1787-1849), was an English writer and politician
Migration of the Twiss family to IrelandSome of the Twiss family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Twiss migration to the United States | + |
Twiss Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- John Twiss who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1845
- Joseph Twiss, who settled in Philadelphia in 1853
Twiss Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Charles Victor Twiss, who immigrated to the United States, in 1904
- Cal. G. W. Twiss, aged 58, who settled in America from Southampton, England, in 1908
- George Edw. Twiss, aged 53, who landed in America from St. John, England, in 1909
- Jessie Twiss, aged 5, who settled in America from Farranfore, Ireland, in 1910
- Richard Twiss, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States, in 1912
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Twiss migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Twiss Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- Mr. Thomas Twiss, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 5
- Mrs. Mary Twiss, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Nourmahal" arriving in Dunedin, Otaga, South Island, New Zealand on 5th May 1858 5
- Michael Twiss, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Chile" in 1874
| Contemporary Notables of the name Twiss (post 1700) | + |
- Richard Twiss (b. 1954), Native American educator and author
- Stephen R. Twiss, American politician, Justice of Utah Territorial Supreme Court, 1880-84 6
- Robert M. Twiss, American politician, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California, 1993 7
- Leon Twiss, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives 98th District, 1976 7
- George J. Twiss (b. 1853), American Republican politician, Mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, 1895-97 7
- Sir Travers Twiss (1809-1897), English civilian, born at Gloucester Place, Marylebone, eldest son of the Rev. Robert Twiss by his wife, Fanny Walker
- Richard Twiss (1747-1821), English miscellaneous writer, born at Rotterdam on 26 April 1747, the son of an English merchant residing in Holland
- Horace Twiss (1787-1849), English wit and politician, born, probably at Bath, the eldest son of Francis Twiss
- Francis Twiss (1760-1827), English compiler, the son of an English merchant residing in Holland, descended from Richard Twiss, a younger son of the family of Twiss resident about 1660 at Killintierna, co. Kerry
- ... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
- Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 23) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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