Witherell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Witherell family

The surname Witherell was first found in Cumberland (now called Cumbria) as Wetheral, a village and civil parish that dates back to c. 1100 when it was first listed as Wetherhala.

The place name literally means "nook of land where wether-sheep are kept," from the Old English words "wether" + "halh." 1 One of the first records of the name was found here with Richard de Wederhal who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332. William Wethereld, Wetherald, Wetherold was listed in Suffolk (1429-1433). 2

Hugh de Wederhale was listed in Cumberland during the reign of Edward I., and Adam de Wederhal, horner was listed during the reign of Edward II., as a Freeman of York. 3

Early History of the Witherell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Witherell research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1726, 1754, 1764, 1768, 1770, 1772, 1775, 1776, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1800, 1807, 1808, 1826, 1830, 1832, 1842, 1846 and 1875 are included under the topic Early Witherell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witherell Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wetherall, Weatherall, Wetherell, Metherall and many more.

Early Notables of the Witherell family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Nathan Wetherell D.D. (1726-1808), English academic administrator at the University of Oxford. He was Dean of Hereford, Master of University College, Oxford (1764-1807) and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Witherell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witherell Ranking

In the United States, the name Witherell is the 16,280^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4

Migration of the Witherell family to Ireland

Some of the Witherell family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 169 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witherell migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Witherell Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Witherell, from Maidstone, who landed in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 5
Mrs. Mary Witherell, who arrived New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 6
Samuel Witherell, who arrived New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 6
Daniel Witherell, who arrived New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 6
Thomas Witherell, who arrived New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Hercules" 6

Witherell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

M. B. Witherell, aged 45, who settled in America, in 1894
Chas. R. Witherell, aged 48, who landed in America, in 1896

Witherell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Showell R. Witherell, who immigrated to the United States, in 1903
Mrs. R. B. Witherell, who landed in America, in 1904
Mrs. R. Witherell, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1905
Mr. Witherell, who immigrated to America, in 1906
Mrs. Witherell, who landed in America, in 1906
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Witherell (post 1700) +

Benjamin Franklin Hawkins Witherell (1797-1867), American jurist, Justice of Michigan State Supreme Court, 1857; Circuit Judge in Michigan 3rd Circuit, 1858-66
Elizabeth Witherell, American director of the "The Writings of Henry D. Thoreau" project
James Witherell (1759-1838), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Vermont State Legislature; U.S. Representative from Vermont 1st District, 1807-08; Resigned 1808 7
Herbert D. Witherell, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Washtenaw County, 1930 7
Thomas Witherell Palmer (1830-1913), American politician, Senator from Michigan
Thomas Witherell Palmer (1830-1913), American Republican politician, Merchant; Real estate business; Lumber business; Member of Michigan State Senate 2nd District, 1879-80; U.S. Senator from Michigan, 1883-89; U.S. Minister to Spain, 1889-90

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 17) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html