Show ContentsWeavil History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Weavil was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Weavil family lived in Yorkshire, at Wyvill, a parish, in the union of Grantham, wapentake of Loveden. [1]

Early Origins of the Weavil family

The surname Weavil was first found in Yorkshire where "this ancient Norman family is said to be descended from Sir Humphry de Wyvill, who lived at the time of the Conquest, and whose descendants were seated at Slingsby in the county." [2]

"Sir Humpbrey d'Wyvill, of the family of Vienville of Normandy, was the Norman thus indicated on the Battle Roll. He acquired a fair share of the spoils of conquest, and seated himself in Yorkshire, where his descendants, the Wyvills of Constable Burton, now represented by Marmaduke Wyvill, Esq., remain to this day. A Baronetcy exists in the family, but is not assumed." [3]

"This place, at the time of the Conquest, belonged to the Lacy family; and afterwards to the Mowbrays, who had a castle here. The Wyville family, the Knights Templars, and others, held lands under the Mowbrays; and the castle subsequently became the property of the noble family of Hastings, who are supposed to have rebuilt it. William, the great Lord Hastings, was beheaded by Richard III., and was succeeded here by his son Edward, who by will in 1497 directed Slingsby to be sold." [1]

Early History of the Weavil family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Weavil research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1542, 1614, 1617, 1620, 1645, 1648, 1666, 1681, 1684, 1692, 1722, 1740, 1754 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Weavil History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weavil Spelling Variations

Endless 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 Wyville, Wyfield and others.

Early Notables of the Weavil family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was the Wyvill Baronetcy, of Constable Burton in the County of York which included: Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 1st Baronet (c. 1542-1617); Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 2nd Baronet (died c. 1648); Sir Christopher Wyvill, 3rd Baronet (1614-1681); Sir...
Another 42 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Weavil Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Weavil family to Ireland

Some of the Weavil 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 Weavil family

To 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 Weavil or a variant listed above: Phillip Wiyfield who settled in Virginia in 1660.



The Weavil 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: Par la volonté de Dieu
Motto Translation: By the will of God.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  3. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.


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