Widderburn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Widderburn family

The surname Widderburn was first found in Berwickshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Widderburn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Widderburn research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1332, 1375, 1495, 1505, 1553, 1556, 1585, 1599, 1610, 1616, 1639, 1641, 1672, 1676, 1679, 1704, 1706, 1710 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Widderburn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Widderburn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wedderburn, Wadderburne, Wetherburne and others.

Early Notables of the Widderburn family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was James Wedderburn (1495?-1553), Scottish poet, eldest son of James Wedderburn, merchant in Dundee. Another James Wedderburn (1585-1639), was Bishop of Dunblane, the second son of John Wedderburn, mariner and shipowner, Dundee and John Wedderburn (1599-1679), was a Scottish physician, the fifth son of Alexander Wedderburn of Kingennie, town clerk of Dundee. John Wedderburn (ca. 1505-1556)...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Widderburn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Widderburn 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:

Widderburn Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Joseph Widderburn, aged 48, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1850
Martha Widderburn, aged 27, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1850

The Widderburn 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: Aquila non captat muscas
Motto Translation: The eagle is no fly-catcher.