Show ContentsWillbanks History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Willbanks family

The surname Willbanks was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1489 when Thomas Gylbank held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Willbanks family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willbanks research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487 and 1525 are included under the topic Early Willbanks History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willbanks Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gilbank, Gillbanks, Gillbank, Gylbank, Gyllbanks and others.

Early Notables of the Willbanks family

More information is included under the topic Early Willbanks Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willbanks Ranking

In the United States, the name Willbanks is the 12,703rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Migration of the Willbanks family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



The Willbanks 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: Honore et virtute
Motto Translation: With honor and virtue.


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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