Show ContentsWillcott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Willcott surname is a habitational name derived from Wilcott in Shropshire, Wilcote in Oxfordshire or Wilcot in Wiltshire. The latter reference date back to the Domesday Book where Edward of Salisbury held the lands which comprised of 40 acres of meadows, 20 acres of pasture, 50 acres of scrubland and a new church. [1]

Early Origins of the Willcott family

The surname Willcott was first found in Oxfordshire where the Bishop of Bayeux held Wilcote which comprised of 12 acres of meadow 4 furlongs of woodland and land for one and half ploughs. [1] Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands and village of Wilcote, held Wadard from the Bishop of Bayeux, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Wilcote is noted for its Manor House. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time.

Early History of the Willcott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willcott research. Another 119 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1139, 1187, 1510, 1556 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Willcott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willcott Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Willcott, Wilcott, Wilcote, Willcote, Wylcott, Wylcote, Willcotts, Wilcotts, Willicotes, Willycotes, Willicott, Williscott and many more.

Early Notables of the Willcott family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

  • the Willcott family of Tew Magna

Willcott Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Willcott is the 560th most popular surname with an estimated 81 people with that name. [2]


Australia Willcott migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Willcott Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Willcott, aged 29, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Tantivy"


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)


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