Show ContentsWynstandlay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wynstandlay family

The surname Wynstandlay was first found in Lancashire at Winstanley, a township, partly in the chapelry of Up Holland and partly in that of Billinge, parish and union of Wigan, hundred of West Derby. "At the period of the Conquest, Uctred, a Saxon, held Wibaldeslei; and in the reign of John, Roger de Winstanesley held lands in the township." [1]

Early rolls gave a glimpse of the many spellings in use at that time: Roger de Winstanesleg was listed in Lancashire in 1212; and Hugh de Wynstanlegh, de Wynstanley in the Assize Rolls for Lancashire in 1401. [2]

"The Winstanleys, who take their name from a Lancashire township, have long been known in Liverpool, and still reside there. John Winstanley was mayor in 1553, and Henry Winstanley filled the same office in 1752. There was a Robert de Wvnstanleghe of Rishton in the 14th century; and a gentle family of Winstanley lived at Branston, Leicestershire, in the 17th and 18th centuries. " [3]

Early History of the Wynstandlay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wynstandlay research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1609, 1628, 1644, 1676, 1678, 1687, 1698, 1703, 1750, 1751, 1756 and 1774 are included under the topic Early Wynstandlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wynstandlay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Winstanley, Winstandley, Winstantley, Winstonly, Winstonle and many more.

Early Notables of the Wynstandlay family

Notables of the family at this time include Gerrard Winstanley (1609-1676), an English Protestant religious reformer and political activist during The Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. He was "a Lancashire man, but his parentage and birthplace have not been identified. " [4]William Winstanley (c.1628-1698), was an English poet and compiler of biographies. He was second son...
Another 54 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wynstandlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Wynstandlay family to Ireland

Some of the Wynstandlay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wynstandlay family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Peter and John Winstanley settled in Virginia in 1698; Mary Winstanley settled in New York in 1705; James Winstanley settled in Virginia in 1739; Valentine Winstandley settled in Pennsylvania in 1772.



The Wynstandlay Motto +

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: Prenez garde
Motto Translation: Take care.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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