Show ContentsWhichcote History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Whichcote family

The surname Whichcote was first found in Shropshire where the family is descended from William de Whichcote of Whichcote in 1255.

During the reign of Edward IV, the family inherited Harpswell, Lincolnshire by marriage with the heiress of Tyrwhitt and this became the family seat for many years. 1 Of this latter branch, John Wichcote of Harpswell was High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1466.

Early History of the Whichcote family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Whichcote research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1609, 1614, 1643, 1675, 1677, 1683, 1692, 1721 and 1775 are included under the topic Early Whichcote History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Whichcote Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Whichcote, Whichcott, Whichcot, Whitcott and others.

Early Notables of the Whichcote family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Benjamin Whichcote (1609-1683), English philosopher and theologian, born in Stoke, Shropshire, England regarded as the spiritual founder of the "Cambridge Platonists." 2
  • Sir Jeremy Whichcote, 1st Baronet (c. 1614-1677), received his baronetcy as a reward for his services to the exiled King Charles II. His son, Sir Paul Whichcote, 2nd Baronet (1643-1721), was a Fellow...

Migration of the Whichcote family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: bearers of the name, who may have settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, although we could not find any evidence of their arrival..


Contemporary Notables of the name Whichcote (post 1700) +

  • Sir Thomas Whichcote (1787-1829), 6th Baronet of the Inner Temple in the City of London, English peer
  • Sir Thomas Whichcote (1763-1828), 5th Baronet of the Inner Temple in the City of London, English peer
  • Sir Hugh Christopher Whichcote (1874-1949), 10th Baronet of the Inner Temple in the City of London, English peer
  • Sir George Whichcote (1817-1893), 8th Baronet of the Inner Temple in the City of London, English peer
  • Sir Christopher Whichcote (1738-1786), 4th Baronet of the Inner Temple in the City of London, English peer
  • Sir George Whichcote (1870-1946), 9th Baronet, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1900
  • Sir Thomas Whichcote (1813-1892), 7th Baronet of Aswarby Park, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1837
  • Benjamin Whichcote (1609-1683), English philosopher
  • General George Whichcote (1794-1891), British general, born on 21 Dec. 1794, the fourth son of Sir Thomas Whichcote, fifth Baronet (1763–1824), of Aswarby Park, Lincolnshire 3


The Whichcote 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: Juste et droit
Motto Translation: Just and right.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. Wikisource contributors. "Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900." Wikisource . Wikisource , 4 Jun. 2018. Web. 30 Jan. 2019


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