Show ContentsPicklewithay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Picklewithay belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived in Pickhall (Pickhill), a parish, in the union of Thirsk, partly in the wapentake of Allertonshire, but chiefly in that of Hallikeld, in the North Riding of Yorkshire. 1 2 3

The place name dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was known as Picala and literally meant "nook of land by the pointed hills," from the Old English "pic" + "halh." 4

However, another source has a slightly different point of origin, having the name mean: 'dweller at the small enclosure’, from the Middle English pightel, pighel. 5

Early Origins of the Picklewithay family

The surname Picklewithay was first found in Yorkshire where early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Ricardus de Pighkeleys; and Stephanus de Pykedleghes. Bot resided "in the village of Haworth, in which district the two names are now so familiar. The Directory for Wilsden, West Riding of Yorks, contains the two following names, seemingly related: Nathan Pickles, beer-retailer; and Nathan Pighills, farmer." 6

Later in Lancashire, Henry Pickles was listed there in 1571 and later again, Arthur Pickles was found in Yorkshire in 1672. 5

Early History of the Picklewithay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Picklewithay research. Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Picklewithay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Picklewithay Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Picklewithay include Pickles, Pickel, Pickle, Pykelworthe, Pickleworth and others.

Early Notables of the Picklewithay family

More information is included under the topic Early Picklewithay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Picklewithay family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Picklewithay were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Pickles settled in Philadelphia in 1866.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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