Wingeham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Wingeham was first found in Kent at Wingham, a civil parish and village that dates back to 834 when it was originally listed as Uuigincggaham.

By the Domesday Book in 1086, the parish had a more modern spelling of Wingheham and literally meant "homestead of the family or followers of a man called Wiga" having derived from the Old English personal name + inga + ham. Alternatively, the first element may have been derived from the Old English "wig" meaning "heathen temple." 1

The lands of Wingham, were held by the Archbishop of Canterbury who was recorded as chief tenant in the Domesday Book. At that time, this large village consisted of 2 mills a fishery and a salthouse. 2

Henry de Wingham or Wengham (d. 1262), was Bishop of London, born at Wingham in Kent. "He was probably at first a Clerk in the Exchequer and later, one of the king's escheators. He was appointed chamberlain of Gascony, and in 1252 he was sent to inquire into the complaints of the Gascons against the government of Simon de Montfort. The king seems to have suspected him of being too favourable to the Gascons, for he sent another commission to make renewed inquiry. " 3