Show ContentsWetherald History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wetherald family

The surname Wetherald was first found in Cumberland (now called Cumbria) as Wetheral, a village and civil parish that dates back to c. 1100 when it was first listed as Wetherhala.

The place name literally means "nook of land where wether-sheep are kept," from the Old English words "wether" + "halh." 1 One of the first records of the name was found here with Richard de Wederhal who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332. William Wethereld, Wetherald, Wetherold was listed in Suffolk (1429-1433). 2

Hugh de Wederhale was listed in Cumberland during the reign of Edward I., and Adam de Wederhal, horner was listed during the reign of Edward II., as a Freeman of York. 3

Early History of the Wetherald family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wetherald research. Another 46 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1726, 1754, 1764, 1768, 1770, 1772, 1775, 1776, 1780, 1781, 1782, 1800, 1807, 1808, 1826, 1830, 1832, 1842, 1846 and 1875 are included under the topic Early Wetherald History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wetherald Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wetherall, Weatherall, Wetherell, Metherall and many more.

Early Notables of the Wetherald family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Nathan Wetherell D.D. (1726-1808), English academic administrator at the University of Oxford. He was Dean of Hereford, Master of University College, Oxford (1764-1807) and Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University...
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wetherald Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Wetherald family to Ireland

Some of the Wetherald family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 169 words (12 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Wetherald migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Wetherald Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Lawrence Wetherald, who landed in Peraki, New Zealand in 1840


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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