Show ContentsWoolworthe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Woolworthe Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Woolworthe

What does the name Woolworthe mean?

When the ancestors of the Woolworthe family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Surrey, at Walworth, a hamlet, in the parish and union of St. Mary, Newington, two miles from London. 1 Now part of Greater London, Walworth dates back to Saxon times, where in 1001 it was listed as Wealawryth. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, it was known as Waleorde. 2 The place name literally means "enclosure of the Britons." 3 But another source claims the name meant "Welshman's farm." 4

Walworth, a township, in the parish of Heighington, union of Darlington in Durham 1 is another possible origin of the family. 5

Early Origins of the Woolworthe family

The surname Woolworthe was first found in Surrey where they were Lords of the manor of Walworth from early times. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book survey in 1086, Walworth was held by Baynard from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and conjecturally the Walworths are descended from this Baynard a Norman noble. 2

One of the first entries of the family in public rolls was John de Walworth who was listed in London in 1340. Later in Yorkshire, John de Walleworth was found in the Feet of Fines for 1375. Back in London, we found Richard Walleworth in the Assize Rolls of 1400. 5

Sir William Walworth (d. 1385) was Lord May of London and "was descended of good family. A William de Walworth, who may have been his father, was the grantee of land in Darlington in 1314. Sir William himself succeeded a member of the ancient family of Bart, Bard, or Baard, in the tenure of a manor which included the parish of Middleton St. George, near Darlington in Durham." 6

Early History of the Woolworthe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Woolworthe research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1373, 1374, 1375, 1380, 1381, 1385, 1592 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Woolworthe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Woolworthe Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Woolworthe have been found, including Wallworth, Wallworthe, Walworth, Walworthe, Woolworth, Woolworthe, Wolworth, Wolworthe, Walwork, Walworke, Wallwork and many more.

Early Notables of the Woolworthe family

Sir William Walworth (died 1385), the English nobleman and politician who was twice Lord Mayor of London (1374-1375 and 1380-1381). He is best known for killing Wat Tyler during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. His family came from Durham. He worked for a time in the Customs House under Geoffrey Chaucer. In his second term of office as Lord Mayor, Tyler and his followers entered south London, Walworth...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Woolworthe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Woolworthe family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Woolworthe were among those contributors: Hugh Walworth, aged 45; who settled in Maryland in 1774; James Walwork settled there in 1755.
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print

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