[Illustration] This venerable family, supposed to be of Saxon
origin, traces its descent to one Drogo or Drew, Chamberlain to the
Empress Maude, and Grantee of the Manor of Polwhele in the year
1140. The family are said to have been seated there even before the
Conquest; there appears however no proof that Drogo was the
descendant of Winus de Polhill, the owner of this place in the time
of Edward the Confessor. The Rev. Richard Polwhele, the historian of
this county, was the representative of the family.
See Polwhele's Cornwall, i. 42; Gilbert's Survey, ii. 239; and
Lysons, pp. cxi. 60.
ARMS.--_Sable, a saltier engrailed ermine_.
Present Representative, T. R. Polwhele, Esq.