Wadsworth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


The name Wadsworth was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Wadsworth family lived in Yorkshire, at Wadsuuorde or Wadsworth.

Early Origins of the Wadsworth family

The surname Wadsworth was first found in the West Riding of Yorkshire at Wadsuuorde or Wadsworth. This place was recorded in the Domesday Book taken in 1086 as 'King's Land', a Moorland with two churches and scattered houses. An isolated building within the village is said to be the setting for Emily Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'.

The village was granted by King William, to Roger de Bully, believed to be the ancestor of the Wadsworths, for his assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 1

Years later, records show Adam de Waddeswrth listed in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield in 1275. In the parish church of Silkstone, the name was recorded as Waddysworth (1556), Wardsworth (1656), Wadsworth (1666) and finally as Wordsworth (1668). 2 Longfellow's middle name was Wadsworth.

Early History of the Wadsworth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wadsworth research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1572, 1594, 1604, 1622, 1623, 1656, 1675, 1730, 1777 and 1817 are included under the topic Early Wadsworth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wadsworth Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Wadsworth has been recorded under many different variations, including Wadsworth, Wadworth, Wadesworth, Wordsworth and others.

Early Notables of the Wadsworth family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Wadsworth Ranking

In the United States, the name Wadsworth is the 3,046th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 3


Wadsworth migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Wadsworths were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Wadsworth Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Wadsworth Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Wadsworth Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Wadsworth migration to Australia +

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

Wadsworth Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Wadsworth 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:

Wadsworth Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Wadsworth (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Wadsworth +
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