Knowles in Ireland.
The name Knowles in Ireland is often of immigrant origin having been brought into the country by English settlers who arrived into the Province of Ulster, especially during the seventeenth century. The Cappoge Castle in the parish of Castleknock, County Dublin had been forfeited after the rebellion by Bartholomew Dillon, and the chief inhabitants on the lands after the Restoration were Captain Knowles and Henry Wood, whose house was assessed for two hearths. At the time of the Restoration (1660-1666) the inhabitants numbered four of English and 22 of Irish descent.
In Ulster, particularly in Down, the name is considered English. One English family of the name is found in Kinsale, Co. Cork, settled in the 17th century.
Newell (Knowles) Both Newell and Knowles are, of course, also common English surnames. Three men called Knowles, relatives of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, of whom James Sheridan Knowles (1784-1862) is the best known, were distinguished in various branches of literature in the nineteenth century. Three Newells, too, all from the Belfast area, are noteworthy: one Edward J. Newell (1771-1798) admittedly only as an informer, but Alexander Newell (1824-1893) was a distinguished scientist and Hugh Newell (b.1830) an artist of repute in America.Though found in all the provinces this name is common only in Ulster where it is most numerous in counties Down and Antrim. It can he of English or Scottish origin. Newell can be a variant of either Nevill or Noel. One prominent English family, the Nevilles of Raby, came from Neville in France. Most others took their name from one of the several places in France called Neuville. The name Noel is from the Old French Noel, which means 'Christmas', and denoted a person born at that time.
As Neuall, Newall and Newell, the name has long been found in the Scottish province of Galloway, especially in Dumfriesshire, whence hailed so many of the Plantation settlers.
The most famous of the name in Ulster history was Downpatrick man Edward John Newell, 1771-98, a portrait miniaturist. He joined the United Irishmen but was distrusted by the leadership. He became an informer. Rather foolishly he wrote The Life and Times of Newell, the Informer which was published privately in Belfast. He was about to leave Ireland on a government passage when he was assassinated.
The name Knowles in Ireland is often of immigrant origin having been brought into the country by English settlers who arrived into the Province of Ulster, especially during the seventeenth century. The Cappoge Castle in the parish of Castleknock, County Dublin had been forfeited after the rebellion by Bartholomew Dillon, and the chief inhabitants on the lands after the Restoration were Captain Knowles and Henry Wood, whose house was assessed for two hearths. At the time of the Restoration (1660-1666) the inhabitants numbered four of English and 22 of Irish descent.
In Ulster, particularly in Down, the name is considered English. One English family of the name is found in Kinsale, Co. Cork, settled in the 17th century.
Newell (Knowles) Both Newell and Knowles are, of course, also common English surnames. Three men called Knowles, relatives of Richard Brinsley Sheridan, of whom James Sheridan Knowles (1784-1862) is the best known, were distinguished in various branches of literature in the nineteenth century. Three Newells, too, all from the Belfast area, are noteworthy: one Edward J. Newell (1771-1798) admittedly only as an informer, but Alexander Newell (1824-1893) was a distinguished scientist and Hugh Newell (b.1830) an artist of repute in America.Though found in all the provinces this name is common only in Ulster where it is most numerous in counties Down and Antrim. It can he of English or Scottish origin. Newell can be a variant of either Nevill or Noel. One prominent English family, the Nevilles of Raby, came from Neville in France. Most others took their name from one of the several places in France called Neuville. The name Noel is from the Old French Noel, which means 'Christmas', and denoted a person born at that time.
As Neuall, Newall and Newell, the name has long been found in the Scottish province of Galloway, especially in Dumfriesshire, whence hailed so many of the Plantation settlers.
The most famous of the name in Ulster history was Downpatrick man Edward John Newell, 1771-98, a portrait miniaturist. He joined the United Irishmen but was distrusted by the leadership. He became an informer. Rather foolishly he wrote The Life and Times of Newell, the Informer which was published privately in Belfast. He was about to leave Ireland on a government passage when he was assassinated.
