THE  SURNAME  ARCHIVE

The Tontine & Annuity Index 1693-1789

The Sussex Marriage Index 1538-1837

Channel Sound, Sea Lane, Ferring, Sussex, England

Kenneth W. Knowles, Esq.

29th June 1968

Dear Mr. Knowles,

Further to my letter of 27th April, I am sorry there has been a month's delay in rendering the the Surname and Emigrant Report on KNOWLES, but we have had more than thirty such reports to do and have consequently fallen behind somewhat with our schedules, especially- as routine research commitments have also been exceptionally heavy of late. However, without further ado, here is the information you require, and please refer to the List of Works Consulted at the end of the report for an explanation of the figures in brackets that appear after certain items.

In England, localities in many counties are called Knowle or Knowles (the most famous perhaps the Sackville-West home near Sevenoaks , Kent), from the Old English cnoll, 'hill', and from this has the surname derived, with the sibilant 's' added, as it so often was, for euphony. The two principal variant spellings are KNOLLES and KNOLLYS, and in its three forms the name is very common, with KNOWLES predominant, there being no less than two columns of them in the London Telephone Directory.

Early instances of the surname-sound are as follows:

	Robert de la Cnolle     1185  Devonshire Pipe Rolls
	Theobald de Chnolle     1242  Kentish Book of Fees
	Roger de la Cnolle      1273  Devonshire Hundred Rolls
	John Cnolle               1273  Dorsetshire Hundred Rolls
	Robert de la Cnolle      1273   Sussex Hundred Rolls
	Thomas Knolle           1279  Cambridgeshire  Hundred Rolls
	William atte Knolle     1296  Sussex Subsidy Tax Rolls
	Adam del Knol           1318  Staffordshire Assize Rolls
	Cecilia de Knolle       1379  Yorkshire Poll Tax
	Johannes Knoll          1379   Yorkshire Poll Tax
	Thomas de Knoll         1379  Yorkshire Poll Tax
	Robert de Khollys       1397  Preston (Lanes) Guild Rolls
	Christopher Knolles     1407  Freemen of York Register

Perhaps the first bearer of the surname to achieve fame was Sir Robert Knollys or Knolles (died 1407), the military commander, who was knighted in 1351.

He joined the Black Prince in his Spanish Expedition in 1367, was commander of an expedition to France in 1370, and amassed great wealth from booty in the wars.   Others of the spelling of the surname, possibly related, became famous as the Earls of Banbury, William, the first earl (1547-1632), being the son of Sir Francis Knollys (15l4?-96) who was favoured by Edward VI and Princess Elizabeth.

William was made an Earl by Charles I in 1626, and, although he left a will making no mention of any children, successive generations claimed the Earldom, which was never fully recognised.

Strangely enough, the first of the KNOWLES-spelling to appear in the British Dictionary of National Buography was John (1600?-85), a nonconformist divine, who went to New England and was lecturer at Watertown, MAss., 1639-49;

however he returned to be lecturer in the Cathedral at Bristol 1650-60, although his preaching was declared illegal under the Act of Uniformity of 1662.

The only hereditary honour to appear in the KNOWLES surname was granted in the form a of a Baronetcy to Admiral Charles Knowles, although even he was the reputed son of Charles Knollys, called fourth earl of Banbury (see above), which is an example of how the surname-spelling fluctuated.  Sir Charles (d.1777), entered the navy as a captain's servant in 1718 and worked his way up through the ranks to become a full admiral by 1760. He was commander-in-chief at Jamaica in 1747 and governor of the colony in 1752-6.  In 1765 he was created baronet, and in 1770 accepted command of the Russian Navy.  His son, Sir Charles Henry (1754-1831) also became an admiral.

This family was seated at Lovel Hill, Berkshire, and bore as it arms, "Azure crusily of crosslets a cross moline voided or."  Other KNOWLES families whose arms are on record are those of Samford Orcas, Dorset, and Somerset;  Aylesham, Norfolk;  Cole Ashby,  Northants  and  Walton, Suffolk (granted in 1580);

Downton and Winchester, Hants (Heralds' Visitation of 1634).  There is also KNOWLYS of Heysham Hall, Lancashire and Stockwell, Surrey, who bear the same arms as KNOWLES of Northants and Suffolk above, indicating a common origin.

In Scotland, KNOWLES is a form of KNOX current in Aberdeen, and the development of the name is illustrated by a series of early instances from the area, beginning with Marion Nucx in 1408, and proceeding via John Knowis, admitted burgess of Aberdeen in 1460, known by 1475 as John Knollis or Knollys.  James KNOLLS was a sailor in Aberdeen in 1721, by 1808 the name was spelt KNOWLS, and nowadays the surname is KNOWLES. (11).

Many references to KNOWLES pedigrees appear in various works of genealogy and family history, and there have been a few specifically devoted to KNOWLES itself, such as W.L. King's "Genealogical Memoranda relating to the Family of King" and J. C. Scholes' "Genealogy of the Knowles Family of Edgeworth etc." (1886).  There is also F. Harvey's "Genealogical Tables of the Families of Sheridan...Knowles...etc. (1880), which records the links between the families of these surnames, as represented by James Sheridan Knowles (1784-1862), the dramatist.

There are papers on the KNOWLES families in the document collection of the Society of Genealogists, London, and there are three members who are particularly interested in the surname, two of them concentrating on the Devon, and the Somerset branches respectively.  There is also one member of the name.

In emigrant lists and indexes the following mentions occur  (See attached List of Works Consulted for the identity of the sources, given as figures in brackets in this list):

(37)  The Original Lists of Persons of Quality, Emigrants etc. 1600-1700, J. C.HOTTEN, 1962.

	Henry Knowles, aged 25, servant, embarked in the "Suzan &. Ellen" for New England, on 13 April 1635.
	Thomas Knowles, aged 16, embarked on the "Falcon" of London (Thomas Irish,          master), to be transported to Barbados, on 14th April 1635.
	John Knowles, aged 27, embarked on the "Expedition" (Peter Blackler, master on 20th November 1635, to be transported to Barbados.
	Isarell (sic) Knowles appears among the Dead in Virginia at Elizabeth City on 16th February 1623.
	Andrew Knowles appears as the owner of one acre of land in the parish of Christ Church, Barbados, on 22nd December 1679.

---

(38)  Topographical Dictionary of 2,885 English Emigrants to New England 1620-1650, by Charles Edward BANKS, 1963 (1957).

The Rev. John Knowles appears as an emigrant from Lincolnshire to Watertown between 1620-1650.   (See Savage's Genealogical Dictionary of Early  Settlers, 1860-1862, Vol. 3 , Pg. 41).

---

(39)  Early Virginia Immigrants 1623-1666, by George Cabell GREER, 1960(1912).

Early Virginia Immigrants bound as shown below:

	Henry Knowells, 1648, by John Seward, Isle of Wight Co.
	Peter Knowles…………………, by Thos. Binns, Surry Co.
	Robert Knowles, 1655, by Wm. steevens, Northampton Co.
	Mich. Knowles ,1642 , by Lt. Francis Mason
	Sands Knowles, 1652, by Capt. Augustine Warner
	Wmilliam Knowles, 1645, by Mr. Bartholomew Hoskins.
	Ann Knowles, 1656, by Walter Broodhurst.

---

(44)   List of Emigrants to America from Liverpool, 1697-1707, by Elizabeth FRENCH,1962 (1913).

 Servants from Liverpool bound on board, Mr. Jonathan Leivsay:

Edmund Knowles, of Boulton (Lancashire), aged 15 years 7 months.              (This is Edmund "Old Silverhead" Knowles - Knowles Progenitor DE-01)

---

(46)   Original Lists of Emigrants in Bondage from London to the American Colonies, 1719-1744, by Jack & Marion KAMINKOW, 1967.

Shelwin Knowles, prisoner from Surrey, to be transported to Virginia, with 10 others, in the "Susanna" (John Vickers, master) from London on 27th June 1727.

---

(48)  Virginia Company Charter Members, 1606-1621 (Card Index) by Francis LEESON, 1967.

	Thomas Knowles appears as a Virginia Company Charter Member on 23 May 1609.
	William Lord Knollis appears as a Virginia Company Charter Member on 12 Mar 1612.

---

(49)  Licenses to Pass Beyond Seas, 1624-1638 (Card Index), by Gerald FOTHERGILL, 1907-1910.         (These emigrant lists and card indexes are being continually augmented).

Henry, son of Sir Henry Knolles, to visit foreign parts on 28 Sep 1633.

---

Servants to Foreign Plantations from the Port of Bristol as follows:

	David Knowles, in "Love's Increase" to Nevis, between 1663-79.
	Francis Knowles, in the "Nathaniell" of London, to Barbados, btw.1663-79.
	Mary Knowles, of St. Philips, in the "Patience" to Virginia or Maryland, on 31st August 1685.

---

Among early settlers who received free grants of land in Maryland were:

	John Knowl (sic), who immigrated in 1643.
	Ann Knowles, who was transported there before.1648., as a servant.
	Mr. John Knowles, who was transported there in 1637.
	Lawrence Knowles, whose rights were registered in 1679.
	John Knolls, who immigrated in 1637.

---

(--)  Unidentified  -  Calendar of State Papers, Colonial, 1675-1676, Pg. 287).

William Knowles reprieved for the murder of Capt. Swanley, master of a ship bound for Barbados, and the Governor is authorized to set him free: 23 Sep 1675.

Please let us know if there is any specific research we can undertake for you at our normal fees of $2.00 an hour, with a share of expenses.  We work from a minimum advance of $10.00 and report back at intervals.

Channel Sound, Sea Lane, Ferring, Sussex, England
1st September 1967

FRANCIS LEESON
Director, The Surname Archive
 

THE SURNAME ARCHIVE

List of Works Consulted

Any information of significance from these works will have been included in the body of the Report,
and it should not normally be necessary to refer to them again:

1.  An Index to Printed Pedigrees Contained in County & Local Histories, the Heralds' Visitations etc., by Charles BRIDGER, 1867.

2.  The Genealogist's Guide, by George W. MARSHALL, 1967 (1903).

3.  A Genealogical Guide, by J.B. WHITMORE, 1953.

4.  The Survey Gazetteer of the British Isles, by J. G. BARTHOLOMEW, 1904.

5.  A Dictionary of British Surnames, by P. H. REANEY, 1961.

6.  Patronymica Britannica, by A. LOWER, 1860.

7.  A Dictionary of English & Welsh Surnames with Special American Instances, by C. W. BARDSLEY, 1901.

8.  Surnames not Found in Bardsley’s Dictionary, with Some Unrecorded Variants (type-script) by Oswald G. KNAPP, 1939.

9.  The Romance of Names, by E. WEEKLEY, 1914.

10.  English Surnames, by D. M. MATTHEWS, 1966.

11.  The Surnames of Scotland, by George F. BLACK.

12.  A Guide to Irish Surnames, by Edward Maclysaght, 1964.

13.  Homes of Family Names in Great Britain, by H. B. GUPPY, 1890.

14.  References to English Surnames in 1601 (& 1602), by F. K.& S. HITCHING, 1910 & 1911.

15.  London Inhabitants Within the Walls, 1695, by D. V. GLASS, 1966.

16.  Return of Owners of Land, 1873, England & Wales, 2 Volumes, 1875.

17.  General Post Office Alphabetical Telephone Directories, London Postal Area, 1964.

18.  Dod's Peerage, Baronetage, & Knightage of Great Britain & Ireland, 1904.

19.  Lodge’s Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage & Companionage of the British Empire, 1912.

20.  Burke's Landed Gentry, with Irish Supplement, 1937.

21.  Walford's County Families of the United Kingdom, 1906.

22.  Armorial Families, by Arthur Charles FOX-DAVIES, 1902.

23.  Fairbairn's Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, 1860.

24.  Dictionary of National Biography: Index & Epitomes by Sidney LEE; 1906.

25.  Who’s Who: An Annual Biographical Dictionary, 1951.

26.  Kelly's Handbook to the Titled, Landed & Official Classes, 1954.

27.  Burke's General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland & Wales, 1967 (1884).

28.  Crockford's Clerical Directory, 1951-1952.

29.  Society of Genealogists Register & Directory, 1966.

30.  A List of Names in the Document Collection of the Society of Genealogists, 1965.

31.  Palaeography, Genealogy & Topography, 1930 ("Moulton's Deeds") by  H. R.MOULTON, 1936.

32.  Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills, Sentences & Probate Acts 1661-1670.

33.  Catalogue of the Printed Books in the British Museum Library, 1961.

34.  (Various Professional Directories & Membership Lists being continually augmented).

35.  (Various School & University Registers being continually augmented).

E M I G R A N T S

36.  A Bibliography of Ship Passenger Lists, 1538-1825, by Harold LANCOUR, 1963.

37.  The Original Lists of Persons of Quality, Emigrants etc. 1600-1700, J. C.HOTTEN, 1962.

38.  Topographical Dictionary of 2,885 English Emigrants to New England 1620-1650, by Charles Edward BANKS, 1963 (1957).

39.  Early Virginia Immigrants 1623-1666, by George Cabell GREER, 1960 (1912).

40.  Transcripts of Three Registers of Passengers from Great Yarmouth to Holland and New England, 1637-1639, by Charles Boardman JEWSON, 1964 (1954).

41.  Some Early Emigrants to America (1683-1684), by Cregoe D. P. NICHOLSON, 1965.  (From Middx)

42.  Some Emigrants to America from Liverpool (1686), by R. Sharpe FRANCE, 1965.

43.  A List of Emigrant Ministers to America; 1690-1811, by G. FOTHERGILL, 1904. (Annotated)

44.  List of Emigrants to America from Liverpool, 1697-1707, by Elizabeth FRENCH,1962 (1913).

45.  A List of Emigrants from England to America, 1718-1759, by J. & M. KAMINKOW, l966 (London).

46.  Original Lists of Emigrants in Bondage from London to the American Colonies, 1719-1744, by Jack & Marion KAMINKOW, 1967.

47.  Emigrants from England, 1773-1776, by Gerald FOTHERGILL, 1964 (Treasury  Records).

48.  Virginia Company Charter Members, 1606-1621 (Card Index) by Francis LEESON, 1967.

49.  Licenses to Pass Beyond Seas, 1624-1638 (Card Index), by Gerald FOTHERGILL, 1907-1910.         (These emigrant lists and card indexes are being continually augmented).

50.  The Origin of English Surnames, by P.H. REANEY, 1967.

51.  Surnames of the United Kingdom, (A to Bonsor only), by H. Harrison, 1907.

52.  The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, by Basil COTTLE, 1967.

53.  Surnames, by Ernest WEEKLEY, 1927.

54.  A Guide to the Origin of British Surnames, by C. L'Estrange EWEN, 1938.

55.  London Consistory Court Wills, 1492-1546, by Ida DARLINGTON, 1967.

56.  Monumental Brasses, by Rev. Herbert W. MAOKLIN, 1913 (County Lists of Brasses).

E M I G R A N T S   O N L Y

57.  American Colonists in English Records (1600-1800), by George SHERWOOD, 1961 (1932).

58.  The Planters of the Commonwealth, (1620-1640), by Charles Edward BANES, 1967 (1936).

59.  The Early Settlers of Mary land, 1633-1680, by Gust Skordas, 1968.

60.  Bristol to America (1654-1685) (10,000 Servants to Plantations), by W. D. BOWMAN, 1967.

61.  Association Oath Rolls of the British Plantations 1696, by Wallace GANDY, 1922.

62.  Immigrants to New England 1700-1775, by E. Stanwood BOLTON, 1966 (1931).

63.  Genealogical Gleanings in England (A to Anyon only), by H.F. WATERS, 1907.

64.  Immigrants to America before 1750 (A to Battles only), by Fredk. A. VIRKUS, 1965.

65.  American Wills in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury up to 1700 (Card Index) by Francis LEESON, 1968.

66.  Passenger Arrivals (USA) 1819-1820.

Note:  If anyone has the original copy of this document, or copies of any of the references used, or more information concerning the author or the receiver of this document, please let me know.  

Robert B. Noles
October 3, 2008