Ellsworth is a surname, originating in England prior to or around the 11th century A.D. in the Cambridgeshire area. The name comes from Elsworth, from the place-name (and family seat) which in turn was derived from the Old English name "Eli" and "worth", an Old English word for farm or homestead. The original spelling was Aylesworth. Many spelling variants are known to exist, including Ellesworth, Elsworth, Ellsworth, Elisworth, Ellisworth, Ellsworthy, Aylesworth, Aylsworth, etc. Ellsworth is by far the most common Americanized/"standard" spelling.[1]

Migration from Europe

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Records show a number of emigrants to the new world in the 17th century such as:

  • Josiah Ellsworth, settled in New England, possibly the same as is mentioned as purchasing land in Connecticut in 1645,
  • Sir John Ellsworth, arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1629
  • Jeremiah Ellsworth, arrived in Rowley, Massachusetts, in 1650
  • Theophilus Ellsworth, arrived in New Amsterdam in 1652.

Notable people with the surname include:

It has also become a first name (e.g. Ellsworth Kelly) and a place name in the United States such as Ellsworth Air Force Base, Ellsworth, South Dakota, Ellsworth, Maine, Ellsworth, Kansas, etc.

References

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  1. ^ "History of the Ellsworth Name", House of Names
  2. ^ "ELLSWORTH, Theodore Richards - Encyclopedia Dubuque".