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![Show Contents]() Whitwel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Today's generation of the Whitwel family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Whitwel family lived in any of various places called Whitwell, in Dorset, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, and the North Riding of Yorkshire.These place names are derived from the Old English hwi-t, meaning "white," and well meaning a "spring," or "stream." Early Origins of the Whitwel familyThe surname Whitwel was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Early History of the Whitwel familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Whitwel research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1238, 1296, 1719, 1749, 1788 and 1797 are included under the topic Early Whitwel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Whitwel Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Whitwel include Witwall, Witwell, Whitwell, Whitwel, Whitewell and others. Early Notables of the Whitwel familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was - John Griffin Whitwell (1719-1797), birth name of Field Marshal John Griffin Griffin, 4th Baron Howard de Walden, 1st Baron Braybrooke...
Migration of the Whitwel familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Whitwels to arrive on North American shores: Elizabeth Whitewell, who settled in Virginia in 1653; W. Whitewell settled in San Francisco California in 1864; John Whitwell settled in America in 1675.
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