Wolmsey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Wolmsey family

The surname Wolmsey was first found in Lancashire at Bickersfatte and Houghton. " In after times the township [of Wilpshire in Lancashire] became a possession of the Walmesleys, of whom Sir Thomas Walmesley died seised of the estate in the reign of Charles I." 1 Today Walmersley is a village in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester. The place name literally meant "lake by the wood." 2

"The Walmsleys, who derived their name originally from a Lancashire township, are now very numerous in the Preston district. There was an old and distinguished family of this name at Dunken Haigh or Dunkenhalgh, Blackburn, during the 16th and 17th centuries: Sir Thomas Walmsley, of Dunkenhalgh, was a judge of the Common Pleas in the reign of Elizabeth. Walmesley, of Dunkenhalgh, was one of the intended Knights of the Royal Oak, an Order, however, the institution of which by Charles II. was never accomplished (B.). The Walmesleys of Coldcotes branched off from the Dunkenhalgh stock in the 17th century." 3

Roger de Walmeresleghe was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332 and later, John Wamesley was a Freeman of Leicestershire in 1549. 4

Early History of the Wolmsey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wolmsey research. Another 204 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1193, 1537, 1612, 1680, 1690, 1698, 1701, 1713 and 1751 are included under the topic Early Wolmsey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wolmsey Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Wolmsey were recorded, including Walmsley, Warmsley, Walmsly, Walmesley, Wormsley, Walmsleigh, Warmsleigh, Walmsleigh, Walmesleigh, Wormsleigh, Wolmsley, Wolmsleigh, Walmslee, Walmsley, Walmslea, Warmslea, Warmslee, Walmslie, Warmslie, Walmslie, Walmeslea, Walmeslee, Walmeslie, Wormslee, Wormslie, Wormslea, Wormeslie and many more.

Early Notables of the Wolmsey family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Thomas Walmesely (1537-1612), English judge, eldest son of Thomas Walmesley of Showley in the township of Clayton-le-dale and of Cunliffe in the township of Rishton, Lancashire. "His reputation for learning was great, and he early evinced his independence by allowing bail in a murder case, contrary to the express injunctions of the queen...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wolmsey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wolmsey family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Wolmsey family emigrate to North America: John Walmsley who settled in Virginia in 1623; Thomas Walmsley, his wife, two sons and four grandchildren arrived in Delaware in 1682; John Walmsley settled in Virginia in 1690..

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)