Walsam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Walsam family

The surname Walsam was first found in either Walsham le Willows in Suffolk or North Walsham in Norfolk. Of the latter, "in the year 1600, nearly the whole of this town was destroyed by a fire, which, although it continued but three hours, consumed property of the value of £20,000." 1 "The baronet's family spring from Suffolk anciently having been lords of the manor of Walsham. The name De Walsham was first assumed by a cadet of the noble house of Ufford, temp. Richard III. " 2 Both place names date back to either the Domesday Book of 1086 or before. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Walsham le Willows, Hubert who held the lands from Robert Malet's mother. Walsham le Willows was first listed as Walesam in the Domesday Book and North Walsham dates back further to 1044-1077 when it was first listed as Northwalsham. By 1086 and the Domesday Book, the place name was known as Walsam. 3

Early History of the Walsam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Walsam research. Another 104 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1141, 1283 and 1895 are included under the topic Early Walsam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Walsam Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Walsam, Walsham, Wallesham, Wallsham and others.

Early Notables of the Walsam family

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

Migration of the Walsam family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers were recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Florida, and to the islands..

The Walsam 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: Sub Liberate Quietem
Motto Translation: Rest Under Liberty.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)