Show ContentsWoolcott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Woolcott surname is a habitational name derived from the place name Woolcot in Somerset, which in turn is thought to come from the Middle English words "wolle," meaning "spring," and "cot" meaning a cottage or shelter.

Early Origins of the Woolcott family

The surname Woolcott was first found in Devon where they held a family seat from very ancient times, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066.

Early History of the Woolcott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Woolcott research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1679, 1751, 1754 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Woolcott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Woolcott Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Woolcott, Woolacott, Wolcott, Wolcotte, Woolcotte and others.

Early Notables of the Woolcott family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • Sir Walter Woolcott


United States Woolcott migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Woolcott Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Woolcott, who arrived in Maryland in 1649 1
Woolcott Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Samuel Woolcott, who landed in America in 1764 1
Woolcott Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • W Woolcott, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 1
  • Francis Woolcott, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1852

Australia Woolcott migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Woolcott Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Woolcott, a shoemaker, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. John Woolcott, British convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "England" on 6th June 1835, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 2

New Zealand Woolcott migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Woolcott Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. J. D. Woolcott, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Glenmark" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 12th December 1868 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Woolcott (post 1700) +

  • J.H Woolcott, American entrepreneur and businessman, co-founder of The Woolcott Milling Company, Harrisburg, Illinois in 1874
  • Richard "Wooly" Woolcott, American co-founder of Volcom, Inc. a designer, marketer, and distributor of youth-oriented products in 1991
  • Roy Alfred Woolcott (b. 1946), former English professional footballer who played from 1968 to 1974
  • Richard Arthur Woolcott AC (1927-2023), Australian public servant, diplomat, author and commentator, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (1988-1992)
  • Peter Woolcott, Australian public servant, son of Richard Woolcott


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/england
  3. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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