Colwan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Colwan

Colwan is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name that is derived from the Old Welsh names Colwin and Coluin. The name Coluinus was recorded in Devon in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Early Origins of the Colwan family

Early History of the Colwan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Colwan research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1040, 1066, 1086, 1845, 1890 and 1927 are included under the topic Early Colwan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Colwan Spelling Variations

Colwan has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Colwan have been found, including Colvin, Colvinne, Calvin, Coulvin, Cowlvin, Colvine, Calvine, Caulvin, Colwin, Calwin, Caulwin, Colwine, Calwine, Callvine, Callvin, Callwin, Collwin and many more.

Early Notables of the Colwan family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Sidney Colvin (1845-1927), an Englishman born in Norwood, Surrey also led a remarkable life. He was an English scholar who studied at Trinity College in Cambridge and went on to become a noted professor of fine art at Cambridge. As...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Colwan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Colwan family to Ireland

Some of the Colwan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Colwan family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Colwans to arrive on North American shores: William Colvin settled in Maryland in 1714; Hugh Colvin settled in Pennsylvania in 1773; followed by Charles, James, Jane, John, Robert and William Colvin, all settled in Philadelphia between 1811 and 1856.