The English surname Chadwick is of local origin, deriving from the place where the original bearer either lived or held land. In this instance families bearing the surname may trace their roots to one of two towns by this name, one situated in the parish of Rochdale in Lancashire, another in the parish of Broms in Worcester. Owing however to the frequency with which the name can still be found in Lancashire, it would appear that the majority of families owe their nomenclature to the former of the two towns. The fact that the surname is recorded in Rochdale as early as the thirteenth century confirms this theory.
The name itself derives from the personal name Chad and the Old English word "wick" which meant "residence". Hence the name simply signifies "home of Chad". Chad being the original settler.
The name enjoys a long history in England with surviving records dating from the fourteenth century when one Nicholas de Chadwyke was registered as living in Lancashire at the time of Edward III (circa 1350). The additional prefix "de", meaning "of" or "from", placed before the name in many early instances confirm the locative origin of the surname.
The name boasts many notable bearers. Sir James Chadwick, the English physicist was born in 1891 and in 1935 he received the Nobel Prize for physics following his discovery of the neutron. He was knighted in 1945. Another notable bearer who deserves mention is Sir Edwin Chadwick (1800-1890) who worked tirelessly for social reform in Britain. His work led to the establishment of the Board of Health.
| BLAZON OF ARMS: |
Gules, an inescutcheon within an orle of eight martlets argent. |
| Translation: | The background colour gules (red) denotes Military Fortitude and Magnanimity. The martlet signifies one who subsists on the wings of virtue and merit. |
| CREST: | A lily argent, stalked and leaved vert. |
| MOTTO: | In Candore Decus |
| Translation: | Honour in Purity. |
| ORIGIN: | England |