Kendle History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Kendle

What does the name Kendle mean?

The Kendle history begins in Cornwall, a rugged coastal region in southwestern England. Quite distinct from Devon, the adjoining county, Cornwall had its own spoken language until the late 18th century. The Kendle history began here. The manner in which hereditary surnames arose is interesting. Local surnames were derived from where the original bearer lived, was born, or held land. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. The Kendle family originally lived in Treworgy in Duloe. The parish of Kendall in Westmorland was home to many of the family. "On the east bank of the river are the ruins of a castle, the baronial seat of the lords of Kendal, and the birthplace of Catherine Parr, the last queen of Henry VIII." 1 "The manufacture of 'Kendal green' made this town early famous, and of necessity caused the surname to be common." 2 3 However, another source disagrees with these sources. "The general opinion seems to be that this family is of different origin from that of the Kendalls of Westmorland, whose name is derived from Kirby-in-Kendale. Kendall signifies to see or behold the dale or valley; otherwise Kendall or Cendall is fine linen; and Cendale may be a corruption of Pendall, i. e. the head of the valley." 4

Early Origins of the Kendle family

The surname Kendle was first found in Treworgy in Duloe, and are traced to Richard Kendall or Treworgy, Burgess for Lunceston in the forty-third of Edward III. For many centuries Pelyn was the family seat for this family. And it here that Walter, the third son of John Kendall of Treworgy married a daughter and coheir of Robert Holland, an illegitimate son of a Duke of Exeter. 5

"This place belonged for many ages to the ancient and respectable family of Kendall, who had their seat here; one of whom was sheriff of Cornwall in the year 1385. In this family it remained until the days of William III. when John Kendall, Esq. having no issue, sold Treworgye to the family of Williams of Bodenick." 6

"The Kendalls of Cornwall, long and still resident at Pelyn, were formerly of Treworgy in that county." 4

"The Kendalls of Pelyn [in the parish of Lanlivery, Cornwall] are descended from Walter, third son of John Kendall of Treworgy, who married a daughter and co-heiress of Robert Holland, descended from the Bishop of Exeter. There are several memorials in Lanlivery church for this family; that which bears the earliest date is for Walter Kendall, in 1547." 6

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had the following listings of the family: Johannes de Kendall; Thomas de Kendale; Edmundus de Kendall and finally Johannes de Kendall, Webster. 2 John de Kendale was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 7

Early History of the Kendle family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kendle research. Another 240 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1539, 1577, 1588, 1625, 1640, 1643, 1647, 1686, 1690, 1694, 1696 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Kendle History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kendle Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Kendall, Kendal, Kendel, Kendell, Kendale and others.

Early Notables of the Kendle family

Notable amongst the family at this time was Nicholas Kendall (c. 1577-1643), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1625 and 1640 killed in action fighting on the Royalist side in the English Civil War; and James Kendall (1647-1708), English soldier and...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kendle Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kendle migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kendle Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Kendle, British convict who was convicted in Norwich, Norfolk, England for life, transported aboard the "England" on 6th June 1835, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
James Kendle, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sea Queen" in 1850 9
James Kendle, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1850 aboard the ship "Sea Queen" 9
Richard Kendle, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Star Queen" 10

Kendle 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:

Kendle Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Miss Ellen Kendle, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lord Ashley" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 14th October 1858 11

The Kendle Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtus depressa resurget
Motto Translation: Virtue, though depressed, shall rise again.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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)
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SEA QUEEN 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850SeaQueen.htm
South Australian Register Monday 1st January 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Star Queen 1854. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/starqueen1854.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html