The Meaning of Trewhella: Exploring the Surname's Origins
Recorded in a variety of spellings including Trewhela, Trewhella, Treweela, and Trewheela, Trewhella is an English surname of Cornish origin. It is believed to derive from the ancient Cornish-Breton word "tre ughella" before the 10th century, associated with places like Trewhela and St. Enoder. Local surnames are traditionally given to people after they have moved away from their original farms and resettled elsewhere, often in search of work.
One of the simplest ways to identify a stranger has always been through referring to them with the name of the place they came from. This system, particularly prominent in Cornwall, led to the establishment of surnames based on locality. Early examples of surname recordings from surviving Cornish church records during the Elizabethan era and shortly thereafter include figures such as Robert Trewela, son of Richard Trewela, baptized in Redruth on May 5, 1582, and William Trewhella, son of John Trewhella, baptized in Gwinear on March 21, 1609.
Etymology of Trewhella
The name Trewhella is believed to stem from Trewhele in St. Enodor, suggesting a dwelling by the works or mines. This origin gives rise to various name variants such as Trewheela, Trewhela, Trewilla, and Trewhelow.
According to Richard Stephen Charnock in "Patronymica Cornu-Britannica" (1870), the ancient prominence of the Trewhella name is most notable in the district of B__. Generations of the Trewolla family resided in Trewolla, Gorran parish, for seven generations preceding 1620; meanwhile, individuals like Christopher and __ Trewhella and James Trewhelow were located in Towednack p__. Notably, Trewolla served as the mayor of Truro in 1683, and the name Trethwey is now found near G__ pound Road. During the era of Charles II, figures like John Trethewey were among those granted territories in America alongside prominent individuals like the Karl of St. Albans and Lord Berkeley.
Henry Brougham Guppy, in "Homes of Family Names in Great Britain" (1890), highlights the significance of the Trewhella surname within the Cornish landscape, shedding light on its historical importance and continued presence in various regions.
