Cumberland Families and Heraldry
C.Roy Huddleston, F.S.A. &
R.S.Boumphrey, M.A.

BARWIS, of Islekirk.
This family, said to have been cadets of de Berewyse, of Barwise 
Hall (WES), obtained a moiety of the manor of Dearham by marr. to 
an heiress of de Dearham. Land in Smetwurthy held by Stephen de 
Berwys 1399 was possessed in 1495 by Richard Berwys (d. 1597) and 
his son Richard Barwis (1467-c. 1544), who was of Hildkirk (Islekirk) 
1529. His successor Anthony Barwis bought the capital messuage of 
Islekirk 1544 and at his death c. 1578 (his only son having 
predeceased him) it passed to his kinsman Richard Barwis (d. 1599) 
who marr. Mabel widow of Anthony's son Thomas, and dau. of Thomas 
Dalston, of Dalston. His son Anthony Barwis (1580-1616) marr. Grace 
dau. of William Fleming, of Rydal. John Barwis, of Waverton 
(d. 1662), Anthony's brother was High sheriff of Cumberland 1648, 
1649 and 1652, and was father of Col. Thomas Barwis (1621-1648), who 
fought on the Parliamentary side at the siege of Carlisle. Anthony 
was succ. by his son Richard Barwis (or Barwise) (1601-1648) who 
marr. Frances (d. 1670) dau. of Sir Edward Musgrave, of Hayton 
Castle. He was M.P. for Carlisle 1627, 1639 and 1640, High Sheriff 
of Cumberland 1635, Mayor of Carlisle 1648, and a keen supporter of 
Parliament. Traditionally called "Great Richard" Barwis because of 
his remarkable strength, he died s.p. 1648. He was succ. by Richard 
Barwis (1644-99), son of his cousin, Col. Thomas Barwis, who marr. 
1669 frances (d. 1705), dau. of Richard Musgrave of Hayton Castle. 
The last male of his line to own Islekirk, his heirs were two daus., 
Frances (d. 1706), marr. 1700 William Kirkby, of Ashlack (L); and 
Anne (d. 1708), marr. John Fetherstonhaugh, of Stanhope (DUR), who 
fell at the Battle of Blenheim.
Arms. Argent a chevron between three bears' heads couped Sable 
muzzled Or (FVC; LMC; Brass in Westward church). MMD shews the 
muzzles as Gules; and machell shows them as Gules studded Or.
Crest. A hand issuing in bend cutting an ostrich feather with a 
scimitar in saltire.

Barwis, of Langrigg.
A branch of Barwis, of Islekirk, settled at Dryholme in Holm Cultram. 
In a deed of 1572 Hugh Barwis, of Dryholme, is given as heir of 
Islekirk if other male heirs fail. John Barwis (d. 1705), son of 
Anthony Barwis of Dryholme (d. 1652), who marr. 1633 Ellen (Helen) 
dau. of Robert Thomlinson, of the Gill, Dalston, sold the property 
to Thomas Ismay, 1670. The family had a number of branches (some 
using the spelling Barwise), including one settled at New Cowper, 
Holm Cultram, in 1628, from which came Thomas Barwis (1686-1766), 
who marr. 1710 Elizabeth (d. 1780, aged 89), dau. of Cuthbert 
Osmotherley from whom Thomas in 1735 bought Langrigg Hall, which he 
largely rebuilt. He was succ. by his son John Barwis (1711-1800), who 
marr. 1737 Elizabeth (d. 1814, aged 101), dau. of William Brisco, of 
Langrigg and Wolsty Stangs. Their son the Rev. john Barwis, M.A. 
(Oxon), Rector of Niton, Isle of Wight, succ. and died s.p. 1828, 
aged 83. His brother, William Barwis, M.D. (Leyden) (1751-91) 
practised in Devizes. Their sister Elizabeth Barwis (d. 1821) marr. 
1776 John Dand, whose dau. Sarah Barwise Dand (d. 1901) marr. 1843 
William Banks of Highmoor (d. 1878). Dr. William Barwis' son, John 
Barwis, J.P., M.A. (Oxon) (1775-1843), barrister at law, succ. as 
heir to his uncle, and marr. 1818 Frances (1794-1868), dau. of the 
Rev. John Gutch, Registrar of Oxford University and Rector of St. 
Clement's, Oxford. Their surviving sons and dau. sold the estate to 
Joseph Bowerbank, of Cockermouth, 1876.
Arms. Argent a chevron wavy Azure between three bears' heads erased 
Sable.
Crest. A bear passant Sable muzzled Or.
Motto. Bear and Forbear (Shield on porch of Langrigg Hall: Family 
silver).