Whytny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Whytny is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Whytny family lived in Herefordshire, at the village of Whitney.

Early Origins of the Whytny family

The surname Whytny was first found in Herefordshire where Harold de Whitney held the Lordship of Whitney from St. Guthlac's Church.

Early History of the Whytny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Whytny research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1377, 1388, 1413, 1436, 1548 and 1601 are included under the topic Early Whytny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Whytny Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Whytny are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Whytny include Whitney, Witney and others.

Early Notables of the Whytny family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney-on-Wye and Pencombe, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1377; and Robert Whitney of Whitney-on-Wye, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1413 and 1436. Geoffrey Whitney (1548?-1601?), was an English poet, the son of a father of the...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Whytny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Whytny family to Ireland

Some of the Whytny family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 49 words (4 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 Whytny family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Whytny, or a variant listed above: Joe Whitney and his son, who settled in New England in 1635; John Whitney, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635, along with Richard and Nathaniel.

The Whytny 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: Volens et valens
Motto Translation: Willing and able.