Littlewood Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Littlewood Origin:

England

Origins of Littlewood:

This popular Yorkshire name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and may be either a locational or geographical surname. If the earlier, it acquires from any of many important places in West Yorkshire, like Littlewood in Wooldale near Holmfirth, all of which so called from the Olde English pre 7th Century “lytel,” which means little, tiny, and “wudu,” which means wood. There is a region known as Littlewood in Staffordshire, near Cannock, which may also be the source of the new surname in some examples. Geographical surnames were used especially as a source of classification by those who departed from their mother town to settle any other place. Littlewood may also be a geographical surname, for a person who resided in or by a “small wood,” acquired from the similar Olde English components. Robert atte Lytlewode, listed in the Worcestershire Premium Rolls of 1327, is an example of the geographical name. Early records of the name from Yorkshire contain as Johannes de Litylwode and Willelmus de Litilwode, both noted in the Yorkshire Census Tax Returns of 1379.

Variations:

More common variations are: Littlwood, Little-Wood, Littlewood, Littleto, Littledye, Littlhead, Lightleaod, Littold.

England:

The surname Littlewood first appeared in Lancashire where they held a family seat from old times and their first recordings were found on the early poll rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to decide the rate of taxation of their services.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Geoffrey de Litewode, dated about 1275, in the “Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield,” Yorkshire. It was during the time of King Edward I who was known to be the “The Hammer of the Scots,” dated 1272 – 1307. The origin of surnames during this period became a necessity with the introduction of personal taxation. It came to be known as Poll Tax in England.

Ireland:

Many of the people with surname Littlewood had moved to Ireland during the 17th century.

United States of America:

Individuals with the surname Littlewood landed in the United States in three different centuries respectively in the 17th, 18th, and 19th. Some of the people with the name Littlewood who arrived in the United States in the 17th century included Elizabeth Littlewood settled in Virginia in 1642 with her husband, William.

People with the surname Littlewood who landed in the United States in the 18th century included Richard Littlewood, who landed in Virginia in 1702.

The following century saw more Littlewood surnames arrive. Some of the people with the surname Littlewood who arrived in the United States in the 19th century included C Littlewood arrived in Key West, Fla in 1843.

Canada:

Individuals with the surname Littlewood settled in Canada in two different centuries respectively in 18th and 19th. Some of the people with the surname Littlewood who came to Canada in the 18th century included Joseph Littlewood, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1749.

The following century saw much more Littlewood surnames come. People with the surname Littlewood who settled in Canada in the 19th century included Ann Littlewood arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship “Ambassador” in 1834.

Australia:

Some of the individuals with the surname Littlewood who landed in Australia in the 19th century included John Littlewood, an English prisoner from Derby, who shifted aboard the “Adelaide” in August 1849, settling in Van Diemen’s Land and Port Phillip, Australia.

New-Zealand:

Some of the population with the surname Littlewood who arrived in New Zealand in the 19th century included Emma Littlewood arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Bebington” in 1872.

Here is the population distribution of the last name Littlewood: England 4,877; United States 907; Australia 839; Canada 359; New Zealand 258; Scotland 217; Wales 214; South Africa 201; Mexico 157; Italy 78.

Notable People:

Alison Littlewood was a British writer.

Dominic Littlewood was a British television presenter and manager.

Dudley E. Littlewood was a British mathematician.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

Az. a bull’s head erased or. Crest—On a mount vert a peacock ppr.