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Origin and Meaning
 | The following information has been
obtained from a variety of sources. Some has been obtained by my personal research other
information has been extracted from publications, which sometimes quote their source of
information, in both these instances, a reference is quoted. It has not always been
possible to verify the accuracy of the information given here and which is given in good
faith.I have added additional notes (in Brackets or italics), either to add or
clarify these notes for the benefit of those who are not familiar with the area around the
village of Unsworth in North East Lancashire. (Fred Unsworth) |
| The ancient Anglo / Saxon surname of UNSWORTH
is of Saxon origin. According to one source it is recorded in 'The Saxon Chronicle',
compiled by monks in the 10th Century (now in the British Museum). Unsworth (Scandinavian
and English) belonging to Unsworth (County Palatine of Lancashire locality of Unsworth, a
parish, once a chapelry in the ancient parish of Oldham). The village of Unsworth is today
part of Greater Manchester (Manchester being a Roman city), but to all intent is
effectively part of the town of Bury. Unsworth lies about 6 miles due north of Manchester
centre and 3 miles south of Bury. |
| Unsworth translates to Unn's Farm or
estate. (Hundeslie 1109 to 1125,Hundesworth 1129 to 1291, Undesworth in 1322 Charter Rolls
and Lancashire Inquest), the 'H' being lost due to common Lancashire dialect. Extent
Manor, Manchester - Charter Rolls & Lancashire Inquests. Later Oundsworth (the 'd' is
probably a post Norman intrusion, and the personal name of the old Scandinavian Unn-r
(modern Unn & Und) from old English then the spelling was later changed to Unsworth.
Variants of this are (were) Unswerth, Unsworthe. In old documents it is sometimes shown as
Vnsworth, this is probably because the letter 'u' when carved and particularly in stone
was shown as 'V' which is easier to carve. |
| The name means (AS) 'Enclosure of the
Hound or Dog'! or more accurately
(OE) 'Hund's enclosure', (probably a man's name). |
| Spelling variations
include : Undsworth, Unsworthe, Hunsworth, Unceworth, Unseworthe, Onnsworth, Uneswort,
Unswarth, Hunworth, Ownsworth, Uneworth, Unisworth, Unsewoorthe
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| The Unsworths intermarried with
many of the distinguished families in southern Lancashire and of the Wirral Peninsula of
Cheshire, the Blundells, the Molyneuxs and the Bolds. Edward Unsworth married Mary
Delafield, who was maternally descended from Edmund, Duke of Somerset, grandson of John of
Gaunt.
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| Any other information on the Unsworth
surname would be welcome!
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The Unsworth Legend of Lancashire
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Send e-mail to:
Bob Unsworth