Show ContentsVach History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Vach family

The surname Vach was first found in Berwickshire where they were first recorded when Randolph Veitch (Radulphus uacca) witnessed a charter by Henry de Graham c. 1200. A few years later, Alexander la uache witnessed a charter of the church of Driuesdale between 1214 and 1219 and Dominus Alexander de (for le) Vacca, witnessed a grant by Richard Germyn to the House of Soltre between 1235 and 1258. 1

Early History of the Vach family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vach research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1296, 1348, 1378, 1387, 1388, 1390, 1393, 1397, 1399, 1408, 1473, 1474, 1484, 1494, 1566, 1567, 1628, 1640, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1685 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Vach History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vach Spelling Variations

Although the name, Vach, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Veitch, Veach, Vitch and others.

Early Notables of the Vach family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was

  • Sir Philip de la Vache (c. 1348-1408), an English courtier, fought in the French wars and was made Knight of the Chamber in 1378, keeper of the royal park at Chiltern Langley and was a knight of the s...

Ireland Migration of the Vach family to Ireland

Some of the Vach family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Vach migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Vach family name Vach, or who bore a variation of the surname were

Vach Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John George Vach, who arrived in New York in 1784 2


The Vach 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: Famam extendimus factis
Motto Translation: We exceed our reputation by deeds.


  1. 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)
  2. 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)


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