Willdham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Willdham was formed many centuries ago by the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It was a name typically given to a wild man. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character.

Early Origins of the Willdham family

The surname Willdham was first found in Berkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times and were Lords of the manor of Beaucot, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Some of the first records of the name include John Wildeman who was listed on the Close Rolls during the reign of King Richard II, which lasted from 1377 to 1399 and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Willelmus Wyldman.

Early History of the Willdham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willdham research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1621, 1646, 1647 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Willdham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willdham Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Willdham include Wildman, Wyldman, Wileman and others.

Early Notables of the Willdham family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir John Wildman (c. 1621-1693), an English soldier and politician. "He seems to have served for a time in Sir Thomas Fairfax's lifeguards, probably about 1646, as it is hinted that he was not one of that body in the days of fighting, and had certainly ceased to belong to it by the autumn of 1647. In the autumn of 1647, when the soldiers of...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Willdham Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Willdham family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Wildman settled in New England in 1767; Richard Wildman settled in Maryland in 1775.

The Willdham 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: Tentenda via est
Motto Translation: The way must be tried.