Hello all, This is a copy of information I received from Nicholas Dewhurst: nb. Yorkshire spelling usually Dewhirst. Lancashire=Dewhurst. Dewhurst= Dew, hurst= Old or middle English= Hurst= wood, Dew= the damp. The family that lived on the damp side of the wood. Often the west or south west side due to prevailing wind conditions. Many Dewhursts in the Ribble Valley and Rossendale. Important division between the Catholic and non catholic branches of the name.See divisions in the local cemetaries. Whalley Abbey. Accrington.Clayton le Moors.Billington. Blackburm and smaller villages. Catholic side of the family supporters of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Joined his Armies at Preston on the march south. Rewarded by permission to wear the Stewart tartan.Own family branch traced to the UpperRossendale as hill farmers in the C14. Suggest your avoid commercial Book of Dewhursts. A rip off. See Coat of Arms in books of British Heraldry. Jana