Willtom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The roots of the Anglo-Saxon name Willtom come from when the family resided in one of the places called Wilton in Cumberland, Herefordshire, Norfolk, Somerset, Wiltshire, or the East and North Ridings of Yorkshire. Wilton, Wiltshire was originally called Ellandune. "This town, which derives its name from the river Wily, is of great antiquity, and is supposed by Baxter to have been the Caer-Guilo, or capital of the British prince, Caroilius, and subsequently a seat of the West Saxon kings. It was a place of importance for several centuries preceding the Norman Conquest, possessing an eminent religious establishment, and giving name to the county; the town had also a mint. Wilton is stated by Camden and other writers to have been originally called Ellandune, and to have been the scene of a sanguinary battle fought between Egbert, king of the West Saxons, and Beorwolf, the Mercian king, in which the latter was defeated. " 1

Early Origins of the Willtom family

The surname Willtom was first found in Essex where they held a family seat at Snaresbrook. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two listings, both with early spellings of the family: Margery de Wiliton, Berkshire; and Ralph de Wylyton, Wiltshire. 2

Kirby's Quest noted "Simon de Wiltone, Somerset, 1 Edward III, [(registered during the first year's reign of King Edward III.)]". 3

One of the first records of the family was William de Wilton (d. 1264), an early English judge "who had fines levied before him in 1247, acted as justice itinerant in 1248, 1249, and 1250, again in 1253, 1255, and 1259-61. He was probably chief justice of the king's bench. He can be traced in the execution of the functions of the office till November 1263. According to Rishanger, he was slain at the battle of Lewes on the king's side (14 May 1264). " 4

Early History of the Willtom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willtom research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1211, 1239, 1296, 1373, 1376 and 1454 are included under the topic Early Willtom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Willtom Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Willtom has been recorded under many different variations, including Wilton, Wiltone, Willton, Willtone and others.

Early Notables of the Willtom family

Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Willtom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Willtom family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Willtom or a variant listed above: Francis Wilton who settled in Virginia in 1619; one year before the "Mayflower"; David and Nicholas Wilton settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print