Willdee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Willdee family has descended through the lines of the ancient Normans that came to England following their Conquest of England in 1066. The Willdee name reveals that an early member was a person of wild or undisciplined character. Looking back even further, we found the name was originally derived from the Old English word wilde, meaning untamed or uncivilized.

Early Origins of the Willdee family

The surname Willdee was first found in Berkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Wyld Court, being descended from Ulric Wilde, a Domesday tenant in that county.

Early History of the Willdee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willdee research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1609, 1610, 1611, 1647, 1648, 1659, 1660, 1665, 1669, 1679, 1682, 1683 and 1725 are included under the topic Early Willdee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willdee Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Willdee family name include Wild, Wilde, Wildee, Wylde and others.

Early Notables of the Willdee family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John Wilde or Wylde (1590-1669), Chief Baron of the exchequer, son and heir of George Wylde of Kempsey, Worcestershire, Serjeant-at-Law. 1 George Wild or Wilde (1610-1665), Bishop of Derry, born 9 Jan. 1609, the son of Henry Wild, a citizen of London. "When the civil war broke out he became preacher to the king at Oxford, and the degree of D.C.L. was conferred on him on 23 Nov. 1647. He was turned out of his fellowship by the parliamentary visitors in 1648, and was sequestered from his living at Biddenden, but continued to officiate...
Another 168 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Willdee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Willdee family to Ireland

Some of the Willdee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 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 Willdee family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Willdee family to immigrate North America: Robert Wild who settled in Virginia in 1635; William, John and Jo Wild, who all settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1635; John Wild, who settled in Barbados in 1654.

The Willdee 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: Veritas victrix
Motto Translation: Truth Conquered.