Whalers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Whalers finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as a wheelwright. In medieval times wheels were wooden and quite fragile and high maintenance. Thus there was a high demand for both wheels and skilled people to make and repair them. 1

"The name of Houelleur which means 'charron' [cartwright] in English, is as common, at least in the Cotentin, as that of Carron or Charron. I imagine that it was introduced into Normandy during the thirty-two years' occupation of this country by the English. " 2

Accordingly, the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Osmondus Huielor, Normandy 1198; William and Roger Huelier, 1180-95. 3

Early Origins of the Whalers family

The surname Whalers was first found in Worcestershire where they held a family seat from ancient times, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066, at Martin Hussingtree. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 has only one listing for the family: Hugh le Welere, Cambridgeshire. 1 Kirby's Quest lists "William Wheler, Somerset, 1 Edward III. [during the first year's reign of King Edward III] " 4

Early History of the Whalers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Whalers research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1601, 1603, 1604, 1608, 1615, 1620, 1642, 1647, 1648, 1650, 1656, 1664, 1683, 1686, 1691, 1694, 1723 and 1727 are included under the topic Early Whalers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Whalers Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Whalers has been recorded under many different variations, including Wheeler, Wheler, Wheller and others.

Early Notables of the Whalers family

Distinguished members of the family include John Wheeler (fl. 1601-1608), secretary of the Merchant Adventurers' Company, was probably born at Great Yarmouth. "He may be identical with the John Wheeler who in 1615 was admitted to the East India Company. " 5 Thomas Wheeler (c.1620-1686), was an English-born, American settler in 1642 and colonial soldier of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Maurice Wheeler (1648?-1727), was an English divine and almanac-maker, born in 1647 or 1648...
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Whalers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Whalers family to Ireland

Some of the Whalers family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 41 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Whalers family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Whalers or a variant listed above: Joseph Wheeler who settled in New England in 1630; Mercy Wheeler, who settled in Massachusetts in 1633; Henry Wheeler, who settled in Virginia in 1623.

The Whalers 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: Avito jure
Motto Translation: By ancestral right.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print