Wheller History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Wheller is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name was taken on by someone who worked as a wheelwright. In medieval times wheels were wooden and quite fragile and high maintenance. Thus there was a high demand for both wheels and skilled people to make and repair them. 1

"The name of Houelleur which means 'charron' [cartwright] in English, is as common, at least in the Cotentin, as that of Carron or Charron. I imagine that it was introduced into Normandy during the thirty-two years' occupation of this country by the English. " 2

Accordingly, the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Osmondus Huielor, Normandy 1198; William and Roger Huelier, 1180-95. 3

Early Origins of the Wheller family

The surname Wheller was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat from ancient times, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066, at Martin Hussingtree. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has only one listing for the family: Hugh le Welere, Cambridgeshire. 1 Kirby's Quest lists "William Wheler, Somerset, 1 Edward III. [during the first year's reign of King Edward III] " 4

Early History of the Wheller family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wheller research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1601, 1603, 1604, 1608, 1615, 1620, 1642, 1647, 1648, 1650, 1656, 1664, 1683, 1686, 1691, 1694, 1723 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Wheller History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wheller Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Wheller include Wheeler, Wheler, Wheller and others.

Early Notables of the Wheller family

Distinguished members of the family include John Wheeler (fl. 1601-1608), secretary of the Merchant Adventurers' Company, was probably born at Great Yarmouth. "He may be identical with the John Wheeler who in 1615 was admitted to the East India Company. " 5 Thomas Wheeler (c.1620-1686), was an English-born, American settler in 1642 and colonial soldier of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Maurice Wheeler (1648?-1727), was an English divine and almanac-maker, born in 1647 or 1648...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wheller Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wheller family to Ireland

Some of the Wheller family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wheller migration to Canada +

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

Wheller Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John and William Wheller, who settled at Bona Vista, Newfoundland, in 1792 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Wheller (post 1700) +

Edward Wheller, English track and filed athlete at the 1920 Summer Olympics
Kate Wheller, English politician, Deputy Mayor of Weymouth and Portland, Dorset
Roger Wheller, Canadian CFL football player

The Wheller 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: Avito jure
Motto Translation: By ancestral right.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0