Wadlow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Early Origins of the Wadlow family

The surname Wadlow was first found in Inverness-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Nis) divided between the present day Scottish Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles, and consisting of a large northern mainland area and various island areas off the west coast, the shire was anciently both a Pictish and Norwegian stronghold, where they are believed to be descended from John Biset, son of Henry Biset, Lord of Cany in Normandy, who became a Norman Lord of the Aird at Bewley near Inverness. However, there seems to be no evidence of the existence of "Wardlaws of the Ilk."

There is a place named Wardlaw, near Beauly which has existed as early as 1210 when it was recorded as Wardelaue.

As far the surname goes, Henricus de Wardlaw, was the first on record to use the name. He received a charter from Robert the Bruce in 1330, for half of the Barony of Wiltone in Roxburghshire. 1

Wardlow is a parish and linear village in the Derbyshire Dales and within the parish lies Warlow Mires, a small hamlet. The parish has always had a rather small population as seen in a census in the late 1800s showing only 171 people. The parish dates back to 1258 when it was listed as Wardelawe, and literally meant "watch or look-out hill" derived from the Old English weard + hlaw 2

Early History of the Wadlow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wadlow research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1358, 1367, 1387, 1440, 1565, 1612, 1617, 1618, 1621, 1631, 1637, 1653, 1661, 1675, 1677, 1678, 1680, 1683, 1705, 1709, 1720, 1727, 1730, 1739, 1750 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wadlow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wadlow Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wardlaw, Wardlawe, Wardlow, Wadlow, Wadley and others.

Early Notables of the Wadlow family

Notable among the family at this time was Walter Wardlaw (c. 1387), son of a Sir Henry Wardlaw of Torry, Bishop of Glasgow (1367-1387); Henry Wardlaw (died 1440), Bishop of St Andrews and founder of the University of St Andrews; and Elizabeth Wardlaw (1677-1727), Lady Wardlaw, reputed author of the poem "Hardyknute."The Wardlaw Baronetcy, of Pitreavie, County of Fife, is a title in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia that was created on 5 March 1631...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wadlow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wadlow family to Ireland

Some of the Wadlow family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wadlow migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wadlow Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Nicholas Wadlow, who arrived in Virginia in 1647

Wadlow Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Wm. Wadlow, a bonded emigrant who arrived in Maryland in 1735

Contemporary Notables of the name Wadlow (post 1700) +

Robert Wadlow (1918-1940), American who according to Guinness World Records was the tallest person in medical history at 8ft 11.1 in
Mark Wadlow, English Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award winning writer, known for his work on Coronation Street (2005-2007)
Mark Wadlow (b. 1957), New Zealand actor, comedian, singer, writer, producer, director, best known for his work on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
Jeff Wadlow (b. 1976), American award winning producer, writer and director, known for The Tower of Babble (2002), Kick-Ass 2 (2013) and Pearl Harbor (2001)

The Wadlow Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Familias firmat pietas
Motto Translation: Piety strengthens families.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)