| ![Show Contents]() Waterstone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 added many new elements to an already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The Waterstone family lived in Lincolnshire, at Waterton. Early Origins of the Waterstone familyThe surname Waterstone was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Waterton from the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066. The now abandoned village dated back to the Domesday Book where the lands and manor were held by Fulcric. 1 While there can be doubt that Lincolnshire is the original home of this illustrious family, we must look to Yorkshire to see the family's true achievements. For it was here that Rayner de Waterton was Lord of the manor of Waterton about 1100, Sir Robert Waterton was Master of the Horse to Henry IV., and John Wateron served King Henry V. at Agincourt who served the same office where from this place. 2 An old ballad says "Waterton the banner bore, of famed St. George at Agincourt." Early History of the Waterstone familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waterstone research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1340, 1360, 1409, 1425 and 1460 are included under the topic Early Waterstone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Waterstone Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Watterton, Wateton, Waterton, Watertown and others. Early Notables of the Waterstone familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Rayner de Waterton, Lord of the manor of Waterton; and Robert Waterton, (c. 1360-1425), the trusted servant of the House of Lancaster under three monarchs, Henry IV, Henry V, and...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Waterstone Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Waterstone family to Ireland
Some of the Waterstone 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. Migration of the Waterstone familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Waterstone or a variant listed above: J.D. Watertown who landed in New England in 1650; Michael Waterton sailed to Maryland in 1665.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Waterstone (post 1700) | + |
- Mary M. Waterstone, American politician, Circuit Judge in Michigan 3rd Circuit, 2001 3
- Sir Tim Waterstone (b. 1939), born in Glasgow, Scotland, Scottish businessman, author and philanthropist, founder of Waterstones the bookselling retail chain, was appointed a Knight Bachelor on 8th June 2018, for services to bookselling and to charity 4
- Tim Waterstone (b. 1939), Scottish founder of the bookselling retail chain Waterstone's, the largest specialist bookseller in Europe
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: Better kinde frembd than frembd kyen
Motto Translation: Better a stranger who becomes a friend than a friend who becomes a stranger.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 4 July 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
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England
Ireland
