| ![Show Contents]() Washam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Washam familyThe surname Washam was first found in Cornwall where they held a family seat. The name, taking many forms, predominated in Cornwall before the Conquest, dating back to 1000 A,D, as Wasso, Wasce, Wazo, Gazo, Gasche, (all pronounced approximately the same) and in the next two centuries they proliferated along the south coast of England into Somerset, Hampshire, Essex, Cambridge and as far north as Lincolnshire. Wace (fl. 1170), the famous chronicler, was born in Jersey, probably about 1100. His parents' names are unknown; his mother was a daughter of Toustein, Chamberlain to Robert I, Duke of Normandy. He is best known for his poem 'Roman de Rou,' a work, as reconstituted by modern French criticism. 1 At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086, a census taken by Duke William of all his taxable estates, the name was represented by Robertus filius Wazonis, a Latin version of the surname. The spelling of Gace is pronounced Wace, just as Guilliam is William. Early History of the Washam familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Washam research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1379, 1627, 1672, 1690, 1691, 1694, 1695, 1738, 1750, 1757 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Washam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Washam Spelling VariationsCornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Wace, Waison, Wayson, Wasson, Wash, Waze, Waize, Waice, Gaish, Gash, Gason, Gasson, Gaze, Ways, Wasso, Waso, Gace, Gaco, Wass and many more. Early Notables of the Washam familyNotable amongst the family at this time was Christopher Wase (1627-1690), an English scholar, author, translator, and educator, Architypographus of Oxford University Press. William Wasey (1691-1757), was an English physician, the son of William Wasey, an attorney, who resided at Brunstead in Norfolk. He...
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Washam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Washam RankingIn the United States, the name Washam is the 10,143rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2  Migration of the Washam family to Ireland
Some of the Washam family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Washam migration to the United States | + |
Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Washam or a variant listed above:
Washam Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Artur James Washam, aged 28, who settled in America from Liverpool, in 1904
- John Washam, aged 34, who immigrated to the United States, in 1917
- James F. Washam, aged 24, who settled in America, in 1921
- Floyd Washam, aged 28, who landed in America, in 1924
- Henry Washam, aged 18, who immigrated to the United States, in 1924
| Contemporary Notables of the name Washam (post 1700) | + |
- Jo Ann Washam (b. 1950), American LGPA professional golfer
- Wisner Washam, American Daytime Emmy Award winning soap opera writer, best known as the Head Writer of All My Children (1981 to 1987)
- Reynolds "Rey" Washam (b. 1961), American drummer
- Benjamin "Ben" Alfred Washam (1915-1984), American animator, best known for his work with Chuck Jones for nearly 30 years at Warner Brothers
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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Washam migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
