Westerby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Westerby date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in Westby, a small village in Lincolnshire. The name was also found in Lancashire and West Yorkshire. The place name Westby comes from the Old Norse words vestr, or "west," and býr, meaning "a settlement."

Early Origins of the Westerby family

The surname Westerby was first found in Lancashire. "The family assert a Saxon descent, and say that they were settled in the hundred of Amounderness, in that county, before the Conquest; but the first member of the family mentioned in the pedigree is Gilbert de Westby, sheriff of Lancashire in 1238." 1

We will not discount this reference's claim but wish to advise the reader that the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire does list William de Westebi in 1219. 2

The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the pace name as Westbi. 3 The township of Medlar with Wesham in the parish of Kirkham was home to early members of the family. "On the dissolution of monasteries, the land seems to have been granted or sold to the family of Westby; in the reign of Philip and Mary, William Westbye held 'Medlarghe,' 'Wessham,' and other property in this quarter, and his descendants long continued to reside at Mowbrick Hall, now a farmhouse." 4

This latter source also notes the family held estates in Medlar, with Wesham, again in Lancashire: "On the dissolution of monasteries, the land seems to have been granted or sold to the family of Westby; in the reign of Philip and Mary, William Westbye held 'Medlarghe,' 'Wessham,' and other property in this quarter, and his descendants long continued to reside at Mowbrick Hall, now a farmhouse." 4

Early History of the Westerby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Westerby research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1233 is included under the topic Early Westerby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Westerby Spelling Variations

Westerby has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Westerby have been found, including Westby, Westerby, Westbee, Westbie and others.

Early Notables of the Westerby family

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

Migration of the Westerby family to Ireland

Some of the Westerby 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.

Westerby migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Westerbys to arrive on North American shores:

Westerby Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Francis Westerby, who landed in Maryland in 1674 5

Westerby Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Mary Westerby, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Westerby (post 1700) +

Susan Westerby, American actress, known for The Dark Crystal (1982), The Telebugs (1986) and Ningyo no mori (1991)
Amy Westerby, American actress, known for On the Way Home (1992) and The Singles Ward (2002)
Robert Westerby (1909-1968), American novelist and screenwriter for films and television
Ronald Eric Leslie "Ron" Westerby (1920-1997), New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s for Wellington and the New Zealand National Team in 1949

The Westerby 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: Nec volenti nec volanti
Motto Translation: Neither wishing nor flying.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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)