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![Show Contents]() Wistwycke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Today's generation of the Wistwycke family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Wistwycke family lived in Staffordshire, at the manor of Westewike. Today, Wightwick is a part of Tettenhall Wightwick ward in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. It is so named after an ancient local family the "de Wightwicks". Of note is Wightwick Manor, a Victorian manor house now owned by the National Trust. Early Origins of the Wistwycke familyThe surname Wistwycke was first found in Staffordshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Westewike, in the Lordship of Tettenhall. The family originated in Wightwick, "a hamlet in Staffordshire, where this ancient family resided. " 1 The family also anciently had branches in Surrey, Berkshire and Coventry. The first on record was William de Wictewike who lived about in 1260, but the name is recorded in the Domesday Book. 2 Today Wightwick Manor is a Victorian manor house located in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, built in the 19th century and includes original Morris wallpapers and fabrics, De Morgan tiles, Kempe glass and has beautiful gardens and stables. Early History of the Wistwycke familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wistwycke research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1420, 1594, 1659, 1692 and 1829 are included under the topic Early Wistwycke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Wistwycke Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Wistwycke were recorded, including Wyghtwiche, Wightwycke, Wightwick, Whitewick, Whytewick, Writewick, Wytewick, Writewyck, Witewyck, Westwick, Westick, Wightick, Westwicke, Westwyck and many more. Early Notables of the Wistwycke familyAnother 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wistwycke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Wistwycke familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Wistwycke arrived in North America very early: William Westick who landed in North America in 1702.
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: Aut viam inveniam aut faciam
Motto Translation: I will either find a road or make one.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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