Origin of the Twidwell Surname
& Early Twidwell Records
Family research indicates that the Twidwell surname may be connected to a spring called TWEEDS WELL, the source of the Tweed River which flows through southeast Scotland and northern England. Although the exact spelling of our surname does not appear in primary sources, the surname Tweeddale and variants of Tweeddale do appear. Tweeddale is also a designation for the Tweed River Valley in Scotland. Various sources mention variants of the name Tweeddale: Tweedale, Tweedell, Tweedle, Twaddle, Twadle, Twadell, Twidale, Twidle, Twidell. There is evidence that all of these names are from the same source, an ancient Peebleshire Scotland family of Boernician origin.
Before last names came into common use, circa 1120 to 1300, people with surnames originating from place-names were often identified, for example, as "John of Tweeds Well". The name could have evolved into: John Tweedwell.
The earliest record found of the exact spelling of our surname is a record of christening of Mary Twidwell, daughter of John and Mary Twidwell, at St. Giles Cripplegate Church at London in 1656. According to legend, a man in Scotland, with given name John, went to England to live and marry an English lady (Mary Hightower). First he had to get permission from the Earl of Hay. When he went to England, his surname came to be spelled Twidwell. This could be the John and Mary Twidwell whose daughter was christened at St. Giles Cripplegate in 1656.
Early records of our family in the United States start in the mid-1700’s. The Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Tithable Lists include: W. Tredwell (1767); George and Wm Tweedwell (1770); George and Wm Tweedwell (1773); Wm and George Tweedwell (1774); George Tweedwell (1775); and George Tweedwell (1776).
A record of a William Twidwell is found in 1750 in Halifax County, Virginia, when he purchased land. Also in Halifax County, William Sampson made a will Sept. 27, 1800 , where he mentions a daughter Mary Twidwell and a grandson George. Mary Sampson Twidwell's brother, Francis, was born in 1747. Mary was, in all probability, married to a William Twidwell Jr., born about the same time as Francis Sampson. In Halifax County, Virginia, the marriages of William and George Twidwell are recorded in 1788 and 1800 respectively. William was probably William Sampson Twidwell.
The signature of William Tweedell appears on the "Ten-Thousand Name" petition, presented during the first General Assembly session on Year="1776" Day="16" Month="10" (October 16, 1776). The petition asked for disestablishment of the Church of England as well as religious equality. It consisted of 125 pages sewn or joined together with wax seals, and was signed by an unprecedented ten thousand Virginia citizens. With other petitions, this enormous manuscript began the debate over the relationship of church and state in Virginia.
In Rowan County, North Carolina, a William Twidwell is found in the 1800 and 1810 census. In the 1820 census, Obediah Twidwell is found. George Twidwell moved to Rowan Co., North Carolina in 1822, according to members of that family.
Our documented family history begins with two Twidwells who came west from North Carolina, Thomas and Obediah. Thomas Twidwell settled in Illinois; Obediah in Missouri. For recent research about the relationship between Obediah and Thomas and their ancestors see THE SAMPSONS OF VIRGINIA AND THE TWIDWELL CONNECTION.
Before last names came into common use, circa 1120 to 1300, people with surnames originating from place-names were often identified, for example, as "John of Tweeds Well". The name could have evolved into: John Tweedwell.
The earliest record found of the exact spelling of our surname is a record of christening of Mary Twidwell, daughter of John and Mary Twidwell, at St. Giles Cripplegate Church at London in 1656. According to legend, a man in Scotland, with given name John, went to England to live and marry an English lady (Mary Hightower). First he had to get permission from the Earl of Hay. When he went to England, his surname came to be spelled Twidwell. This could be the John and Mary Twidwell whose daughter was christened at St. Giles Cripplegate in 1656.
Early records of our family in the United States start in the mid-1700’s. The Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Tithable Lists include: W. Tredwell (1767); George and Wm Tweedwell (1770); George and Wm Tweedwell (1773); Wm and George Tweedwell (1774); George Tweedwell (1775); and George Tweedwell (1776).
A record of a William Twidwell is found in 1750 in Halifax County, Virginia, when he purchased land. Also in Halifax County, William Sampson made a will Sept. 27, 1800 , where he mentions a daughter Mary Twidwell and a grandson George. Mary Sampson Twidwell's brother, Francis, was born in 1747. Mary was, in all probability, married to a William Twidwell Jr., born about the same time as Francis Sampson. In Halifax County, Virginia, the marriages of William and George Twidwell are recorded in 1788 and 1800 respectively. William was probably William Sampson Twidwell.
The signature of William Tweedell appears on the "Ten-Thousand Name" petition, presented during the first General Assembly session on Year="1776" Day="16" Month="10" (October 16, 1776). The petition asked for disestablishment of the Church of England as well as religious equality. It consisted of 125 pages sewn or joined together with wax seals, and was signed by an unprecedented ten thousand Virginia citizens. With other petitions, this enormous manuscript began the debate over the relationship of church and state in Virginia.
In Rowan County, North Carolina, a William Twidwell is found in the 1800 and 1810 census. In the 1820 census, Obediah Twidwell is found. George Twidwell moved to Rowan Co., North Carolina in 1822, according to members of that family.
Our documented family history begins with two Twidwells who came west from North Carolina, Thomas and Obediah. Thomas Twidwell settled in Illinois; Obediah in Missouri. For recent research about the relationship between Obediah and Thomas and their ancestors see THE SAMPSONS OF VIRGINIA AND THE TWIDWELL CONNECTION.