No discourse on the well-known family names of Harwell would be complete without mention of those who bear the name of the village as their surname. In medieval times, the trade or following of an individual came to be used as a surname and many of these are still in common use, e.g. Smith, Baker, Taylor, etc. In other cases such as a member of a profession or a freehold landowner the place of origin was added after the name, particularly if the individual travelled or was known away from his locality. Thus in the thirteenth century some few villagers would have been known as, for example, … de Harwell or more correctly de Harewell as the present spelling did not come into general use until the seventeenth century.
In 1981, the descendants of John de Harewell (1320 -1386) donated a stained glass window to the Harwell Parish Church to commemorate their ancestry. John was born in the village, the son of a freeholder, and having studied at Oxford University he became a priest. In the service of the Black Prince he rose to become Governor of Aquitaine in southwest France during the Hundred Years War and finally Bishop of Bath and Wells. A stone effigy lies on his table tomb in Wells Cathedral. The fascinating story in America is traced by local historian John Fletcher and a descendant from Texas, Jan Whittaker, in their booklet “The Harwell Trail”.
John de Harewell following the priesthood, of course had no issue. It is to his brother Roger who married an heiress from Wootton Wawen in Warwickshire, that the direct lineage has been uncovered. Several branches of the family were known in the early seventeenth century in Coventry, Wolverhampton, Worcester, Evesham and Suffolk. A Thomas Foulk Harewell abandoned the impoverished family home at Besford, near Worcester, and sailed with his brother in 1636 as colonists to Virginia, from where the family eventually spread across the southern states of America.
No doubt other descendants bearing the name Harwell spread across England. Now however, the surname is extremely rare in England. There are no known descendants in the village now although a scientist at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment can trace a link through marriage to the Harwells who lived in Suffolk in the late seventeenth century. When the surname Harewell became extinct locally is not known. Another John Harewell was known to have been a copyhold tenant in the neighbouring parish of Didcot in the middle of the fourteenth century but a century later the name had disappeared from the list of tenants. The only trace of the family name is on the recent stained glass commemorative window in the church bearing the coat of arms of Bishop John, a shield containing the heads of three golden hares.
Fittingly, if somewhat irreverently, the logo for the 1985 Millennium celebration depicts a pair of hares’ heads back to back with the slogan “Harwell Rules 1K“.
Comments
- The Harwell Family Tree
Webmaster –
1 May 2010
By chance I found these links: Thomas Foulk Harewell (1606 – )Edmund Harwell (1524 – 1594) There are many more Harwells listed, the earliest with dates is
Edmund Harewell (1532 – ) Edmund Harewells grandfather is noted as William Harewell. The slices of time website is maintained by someone in Texas, who presumably is a descendant of the Harwell family. All the English Harwells/Harewells listed are from Besford Court, Worcestershire, England. [June 2016: these links no longer work, and I can’t find references to Har(e)well on the webiste anymore] - Harwell booklet availability
Jamie Harwell McHenry –
9 Jun 2011
I would like to purchase a booklet(s) if possible…we had one that has become “misplaced”. We are from Mississippi. Thank you. - Booklets
Webmaster –
14 Jun 2011
The main book – Village for a 1000 years – is out of print; but the contents are presented in full on this website. If you are looking for other booklets mentioned in the links above, you will need to contact them direct. Good luck. - THE HARWELL TRAIL
Dr. Jan Jenkins (formerly Jan Whittaker) –
10 Apr 2013
I’m so sorry for the delay–I just found this website. I’m afraid that I have no more copies of THE HARWELL TRAIL, the book that Dr. John Fletcher and I published in 1981. I still hold the copyright, though, and so I could potentially reprint in the future. Dr. Jan Jenkins 515 Country Cove Ln Russellville, AR 72802-1276 - Photos of Harwell Parish Church
Suzanne E. Harrel Chapman –
2 Sep 2013
Thomas Foulk Harewell who sailed to Virgina with his brother in 1636 was my 9th great grandfather. I am in the process of creating a lengthy scrapbook using the information I have discovered through Ancestry.com and recent Harrel photos for my family both near and far. I am wondering if anyone has photos of the stained glass installed in 1981, the Harwell village, etc. that they would allow me to use to for my family’s use. I am willing to donate to the Harwell church in the photographer’s name or any other charitable donation for any pictures.Thank you for your consideration, Suzanne E. Chapman - Harwell family
Carole W. Parker –
4 Jul 2014
I am writing reply to Suzanne E. Chapman. Were you able to obtain any photographs of the window, or other photographs. My fourth grandmother was Rhoda Harwell married to Joel Rivers. Alabama Thanks,Carole Parker
Lea Harrington says
I think I may be a direct descendant. Do you offer a digital copy for purchase? I would like to use THE HAREWELL TRAIL as a reference. Did the name transform to Harrell?
Lea Harrington
Dr. Jan Jenkins (formerly Jan Jenkins Whittaker) says
Dear Lea Harrington, yes, in the U.S., the Harwell name was transformed into “Harrell” in a number of places, especially on the frontier, where the semi-literate may not have been absolutely certain how to spell the name. In fact, year after working with Dr. Fletcher on THE HARWELL TRAIL (I was Jan Whittaker then), I found out that my paternal grandmother (a Harrell) was descended from the Harwells, just as my maternal grandfather (Harwell) was. So I am descended from the Harwell family on both sides.
Dr. Jan Jenkins
Thomas Harrell says
Is it possible to get a copy of ‘The Harwell Trail’? Either written or digital format would be acceptable. And, of course, I would be willing to reimburse you for the cost. I have only recently traced my ancestry back to Harewell and I am very interested in gaining this bit of additional information concerning my name.
Deborah Froneberger Scheumann says
Hello,
I am also searching for my Harwell ancestors. My forefathers landed in North Carolina north of Charlotte. The spelling has remained the same as the original spelling. I am just starting this journey for my paternal grandmothers family, Janie Victoria Harwell Froneberger.
Thank you.
Debbie Froneberger Scheumann
Crissie Cudd says
My family was from near Charlotte, in Rutherford County, though that branch had become Harrills. The story I grew up with was that the Harrill name came first and the Harrell branch was just too lazy to dot the “i”. It appears that’s wrong and we’re all from Harrells and Harwells. I’m on Ancestry but I’m new to all this so if you’d like to share info I’d be happy to. This is much harder than I realized. So far what I’ve found on Family Search seems to be accurate and if it continues to be so we go back to the 1200s.
Phyllis Harwell High says
My father Raymond Wallace Harwell did a great amount of Harwell genealogy &!traveled to all sites known to before Charlemagne. I have a trunk full of the lineages (lady Godiva was a great…..aunt), photos of the paintings of Sir Edmund he took,. He filled in many questions left in the Harwell Trail.
Short version is that by 1800 a branch of Plantation slaveowning VA Harwells met John Wesley & became abolitionist Methodists. They moved to NC Lincoln County & later others in between & South of Greensboro/Wake Forest/West of Charlotte where other abolitionist & pacifist groups came, Moravians, Quakers (my parental grandmother was born Quaker became Methodist. My dad’s family is mainly from Lincolnton in Lincoln County, a cotton mill town, so they became dirt farmers & factory workers. There are still cousins on that land, though no Harwells left in N C we know of, like Harwell England, they all moved on. He became a nuclear scientist on the GI bill, advising Ike on new submarine weapons & lifelong activist, we lived in MD/D C.
Another branch moved to GA to keep their plantations since it wasn’t “convenient” in VA so much. Newt Gingrich married one of those, her dad a judge Harwell. Others scattered to Kentucky, Alabama, Oklahoma. the name became Harwell in the states, Harrell, Harville, Harvel, Harrell,… ANY such spellings all from the original Anglo-Saxon/Norman “de Harewell”. But never Hartwell, that’s a deer.
If you see British History & follow Harewell names, you’ll see Harwells LOVE to joke & play with words, Sir Edmund a poet from Shakespeare’s county (actually Will was from Harwell manor, married in that chapel), so educated men & the women some too. My dad had a hard time finding which branch he was from since leaving Jamestown to buy land, two brothers named I think Mason & Morgan named their sons Morgan Mason & Mason Morgan! Many after Thomas were many Samuels—aka Sam, Sammy, Big Sam, Little Sam,… as the families expanded in VA, so spellings began to change to avoid confusion. May explain my branch’s aversion to nicknames, usual or family names, his siblings Opal, Eugene, Beatrice,…who lived, though it is a tradition to gave a middle family name. I doubt highly that the spelling change was an oversight that lasted!
My dad made a big deal about the special nature of hares as contrasted to “bunnies” which infuriated him when expensive Coats-of-Arms had Disney “bunnies”. Hares were the original Goddess Oester ‘familiars’ (Mad March Hare with Lapwing spotted eggs) & were slaughtered by The Church across Europe, more UK island hares escaped that fate. Somehow these hares are a political/religious statement.
There is so much to find & know about Harwell history, my dad went to every Parish or County Records known on the US East Coast, England, Germany, Ukraine & made notes when many had no copiers, so most of what I have that’s newer than the booklet is by his hand I have a few things from my short trip in the late 80s, after the 1000-year anniversary, vivid memories staying in the manor with the original hearth, saw Uncle Bishop John’s chubby effigy @ Bath Wells Cathedral, 3 sculpted hard @ his feet..
I hope someday an author will write a historical novel, an ‘Everyperson’ story since Harwells are usually close to History.
~~~
PS: Thomas Foulke was a paid passenger on the slave ship he came to America on, his brother Neville was indentured to the ship’s captain. That ship went to Barbados & as far as we know Neville was never heard from again.
Patty H. Mauney says
Hello Phyllis, You do have Harwell relations remaining in NC and the same neighborhood where a Westley preached. Many left this Lincoln County(now Catawba Co) for Tennessee and many other states, but many are still here. The info collected by you and your Dad sounds wonderful. My sister, daughter and I attended the national Harwell gathering in Richmond Virginia years ago. I would love to have the updated information you have….. looks like you need to update The Harwell Trail. Patty Harwell Mauney. Sherrills Ford, NC
Crystal Harwell Rogers says
My family and I would love to get a copy of The Harwell Trail. We are in North Carolina. 828-962-4466. My extended family would purchase several copies.
Charles harwell says
I am a direct decedent of the Harwell family, I too would like a copy if possible, or how I might acquire one
Mary H. Pierson says
To Suzanne Chapman: I am Mary Harwell Pierson. My Harwell family settled in Tennessee. My birth family is settled mostly in Mississippi. I have some very crude photographs of the window in St. Matthew’s Church taken almost 2 years ago on a trip to Harwell. I’m happy to pass them along. Just let me know how/where.
Crystal Jackson says
My mame is Crystal Jackson my mother is Dena Harwell I am interested in photos if you still have them our Harwell family lives mostly in Arkansas and Oregon
Liz Roberts says
Hello Crystal,
I can’t help you with photos of the family but if you are on Facebook you can follow some Harwell heritage at St Matthew’s church (where the Harwell window is) and in related posts about the village at the page called Harwell St Matthew’s Friends.
I look forward to seeing you over there sometime! Liz Roberts
linda says
i just got stared doing my family tree and i am trying to find out about my grandmothers father his name was joe(joesph) harwell my grand mother is viola she was born in clevland ms.he married myrtal higgaothom anyone cane tell me anny info ,i greatly thank youmy grandmother was born 1928.I was told he was half indian
Dr. Jan Jenkins (formerly Jan Jenkins Whittaker) says
By the way, the misspelling of “Governor” in the Harwell window was corrected shortly after the installation in 1981.
Dr. Jan Jenkins
Kristin Kuhlmann says
Dr. Jenkins:
Is the Harwell Trail still available? My husband is a Harrell, and we would like to obtain a copy. Information would be much appreciated.
Charles harwell says
Dr. Jan. Do u know how I might acquire a copy of the Harwell Travels. I am a direct decedent of the Harewell ( Harwell) family And would love several copy’s. Sincerely Charles Harwell
Bob Harrell says
I just returned from London and also took a side trip to Harwell. I have some satisfactory photos of the window and other items of interest inside St. Matthew’s, including the Gatekeeper Tapestry and accompanying narrative. Feel free to request copies via email. Cheers!
Thomas Harrell says
I would like to receive copies of your info. Can you email to me? I have traced my ancestry back to this time and place. It is a fascinating adventure!
Jessica Harville Pritchett says
I would love to have copies of the pics you took or any other information. I am Harville from the Harewells who came to Virginia!!! Jessicapritchett6711@gmail.com thanks!!!!!
Chapan Harwell, son of Homer, Son John, son of Hennry says
I would love to have copy’s of those photos.
Crystal Jackson says
Hi my mother is a Harwell could you email me some pictures please Im trying to put together our family history my email is
babble_berry82@yahoo.com
Thank you
Ps please label HARWELL HISTORY so I recognize it
Chapan Harwell, son of Homer, Son John, son of Hennry says
My family has a xerox copy of The Harwell Trail, but im very interested in getting an official copy. Also i would like to have a flag made with the crest of John de Harewell. If any one has pictures i could work from i would be grateful.
Thomas Harrell says
Please email to me any info you have. Also, I would really like to get a copy of The Harwell Trail. Can you also email to me and let me know if you find a way to get an official copy?
Thanks, Thomas Harrell
Mary Pierson says
Please tell me how to send photos we took on a trip we took circa 2013. I’d love to have a copy of The Harwell Trail – Xerox or otherwise. I’m happy to pay for it.
Charles harwell says
I would also like to have a copy. Could you please help me? Thanks Charles Harwell
Liz Roberts says
Chapan Harrell, you may have had a response already since you posted 3 weeks ago but did you see the comment I posted yesterday about finding pics of the coat of arms, people and other things of village historical interest on Harwell St Matthew Friends Facebook page? Spread the word and we can share wider …
Mary Pierson says
Thank you, Liz! I fully intend to sit with a cup of tea and spend some time on the Facebook page. In-the-mean-time, I’ve sent some pics and docs to Jessica via email. Nothing so detailed as what’s available thanks to the village’s collection! I would love to return to England for a week of family research some day! MHP
Liz Roberts says
You’ve put it in writing now, so you’ll have to come over one day and we do very much look forward to welcoming you. If you’re into everything ancient, you may have read about an unparalleled discovery of a Roman villa in the South of England a few days ago. That’s less than 50miles/80km from Harwell. If and when you do come, please allow St Matthew’s to treat you: page 6 of http://harwellandchiltonchurches.org.uk/Publisher/File.aspx?ID=151392. We have quite a little tour in mind! All good wishes.
Liz Roberts says
How lovely to see all these comments – and some so recent. If you’re interested in St Matthew’s Church, where ancestors will have worshipped and where The Window is located, you can keep up with weekly new pics over on Facebook – check out Harwell St Matthews Friends. Scroll back to the beginning of this year for pictures of it and the Gatekeeper tapestry.
Timothy Lynn Harwell says
Searching for my roots. Earliest Ancestor I could find is George Dalton Harwell. Buried at Whitewater Church, near Griffin Ga. (Brooks Station),1890.
From what I read the Harwell’s have all moved from Harwell England.
Liz Roberts says
Hi Timothy Lynn Harwell, we don’t have anyone in the village called Harwell, now, that’s for sure. But if you fancy keeping up with photographic and documentary finds about the church, where your ancestors will have worshipped, there is a Facebook page called Harwell St Matthew’s Friends. It would be nice to see you over there!
Best wishes, Liz Roberts
Crystal Jackson says
Timothy is your father’s name Gordon BeBe Harwell?
Liz Roberts says
I am writing to contact Suzanne E Chapman and Carole Parker. Have you found what you need? Would taking a look at the Facebook page Harwell St Matthew’s Friends (https://www.facebook.com/HarwellChurchFriends/?ref=bookmarks) help? It’s been created since your first enquiries.
Liz Roberts, Harwell village.
Doug J. Roark says
All of the preceding notes are very informing and quite valuable. My humble thanks to John M. Fletcher and Dr. Jan Whittaker Jenkins and their
accomplishments
My maternal grandmother was a Harrill from Tennessee. It has been a blast to go back to medieval history and the manor system. Apparently, an Atte Halle changed his family name to Harewell (Harwell) in honor of the feudal village in which he lived. Also, did the English name Attel Halle become Hall?
Did Harewell become Harrell/Harrill after family members reach America? I had assumed that. Some of my relatives use the Harrill spelling while other use Harrell. Also, how did Harrold come into the mix? I had thought that that spelling was Germanic.
Spelling changes over the years have created many research problems. I have found over thirty different spelling variations of my surname, Roark. As a retired history teacher, I realized that illiteracy and partial literacy contributed to this problem. Attribute this to census takers and officials in port of entries as well as the people themselves. Thanks to all the hard work and research that so many of you do and have done.
Phyllis Harwell High says
Please see my previous post. Harewells were highly educated but they also always loved to play with words. Sir Edmund wrote poetry. The first Anglo-Saxon Freeman Harwell, Atte Halle was so smart his lord sent him to Oxford to become “de Harewell”, his sons successful at the highest levels, regent to The King!! I doubt it’s illiteracy, just pique.or cheek. 😂
You’d love this as a teacher. After leaving Harwell Village, the family moved to other Shires or counties built Manors with the crest carved into mantels or walls. All those manors were turned at least for the 20th century, into GIRLS’ schools.
Stan McCombs says
My mothers maiden name was Harwell. Her father was T M Harwell of Mcnairy Co. Tn. Can anyone that have any info on his family send it via email. I have not been able to go any further than his name. Thanks
Wesley Harwell says
Stan,
My name is Wesley Harwell, and she must be closely related to my branch of the family, since my grandfather’s side of the family lived in McNairy County and Chester County for well over 100 years. My wife and I did some research a couple of years ago and we’d have to revisit it, but I’m sure we could find the link. What’s your email, I’d be glad to get in touch.
Jay Harrill says
This is fascinating! I traced my heritage on ancestry.com the best I could and find that John Harrell Archbishop of Bath was in my tree… that is if what I was reading was correct. My Harrill family is from Cleveland County in NC and I have found traces back to Virginia in the 1600’s. If anyone has any information, pictures, etc. I would greatly appreciate it. I am happy to fill in any blanks for others if possible.
Mark Harwell says
My father’s name is John Harwell we are descendants of the brothers who went to Virginia that’s all I know so if anyone has more information about it I would love to see it thanks
Paul B Harwell says
Hello Mark. If you know that your Harwell family ancestry traces back to the brothers that came to Virginia then you have done well. As you may know all Har(e)wells came from Besford Court in England dating back to the 1500’s. They were landowners and the old manor house is still there today. You may also know this was a very tumultuous time in European history. At some point the two brothers you mentioned became disillusioned with their existence and bailed for the New World around 1636. Keep in mind that the Pilgrims had settled Plymouth only as recently as 1620. Skip forward 156 years to the unrest in the colonies and the Revolution. My last record is that a Harwell was a shipwright and contracted w/ the Royal Navy that was based in Va to re-tar the hulls of the British Man-o-Wars. Apparently the Brits were unhappy with his work and hauled him into court over claims that the tar he was using was “leaky” causing some loss to His Majesty’s Navy. I have a British friend that was quite indignant when I related this story.
After the episode in Va, I only know that more immediate ancestors settled (escaped?) in Tennessee. Sometime in the mid-1800’s a branch of the family moved to Texas and settled around what is now Grand Prairie. My grandfather’s family then became farmers and ranchers in West Texas near Lubbock.
Crystal Harwell Rogers says
My family and I would love to get a copy of The Harwell Trail. We are in North Carolina. 828-962-4466. My extended family would purchase several copies.
Maria Karg says
I recently discovered that my 11th great grandfather is John Harwell of Felsham, Suffolk (died 1559) through his daughter Julianne who married Leonard Tillett of Rougham. Looking at their wills, John and his sons were wealthy. My family didn’t move far…. My uncle lives in the adjacent village of Thorpe Morieux and my great grandmother Winifred Tillett was born in nearby Woolpit. I’m interested in learning who was the first Harwell to move to Felsham and how he relates to the Harwell’s of the village of Harwell. The earliest record I’ve found for Harwell’s in Felsham is 1511. I see that Felsham was listed on the 1981 church inscription.