Wallace History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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The history of the name Wallace begins in the Scottish/English Borderlands with a family of Strathclyde-Briton ancestry. It is a name for a person who was understood to be foreign. The name is actually an abbreviation of Wallensis, which meant Welsh is derived from the Anglo Norman French word waleis, meaning foreign. It is sometimes difficult for the layman to understand how such a renowned Scottish Clan could be called, literally, Welsh. Yet from the 3rd to the 8th century the Kingdom of Strathclyde stretched from the northern tip of France to the southern shores of the Clyde in Scotland.

This kingdom was composed of solely coastal territories, of regions including Wales, Lancashire, Westmorland and that part of southwest Scotland known as Galloway. Ironically, the first Scottish poem, dated about 1000 AD, was written in Welsh.

Hence, Richard Wallensis was a vassal in 1174 of Walter FitzAlan, the Norman/Breton who had settled in Salop in England and then moved north to Scotland. He would later found the great line of Scottish Stewart Kings. The Wallensis were undoubtedly the original natives of the area rather than travelers who moved north from the Welsh border in the train of the Stewarts.

Early Origins of the Wallace family

The surname Wallace was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire where in 1173 AD Richard Wallensis obtained the lands that belonged to the former kingdom of Strathclyde called Richardstoun (now Riccarton) by a grant from the King. His son, Richard Walency (or Waleis) witnessed several charters between 1190 and 1220, showing his approval of transfers of land in Molle, Kelso, Cupa and Paisley. The Chiefship passed to his grandson, Sir Malcolm Wallace of Elderslie in Renfrewshire, who had acquired those lands, the ancient Clan territories and other lands in Ayrshire. It was the younger son of Malcolm Wallace, William Wallace, born in 1275, who was Scotland's folklore hero. A knight of no small qualification and skill, throughout his life he had maintained a friendship with the House of Stewart. His many exploits started in 1297 when he killed the Sheriff of Lanark.

Wallace continued to harass the English occupying army with such skill and bewildering speed that the English were demoralized. Wallace unified the Clans of Scotland against a common invader. One of the English captains reported that Wallace was lying in Selkirk forest with his army of Clansmen.

An English force moved northwards to destroy him but found itself under siege in Stirling Castle. The Battle of Stirling Bridge was a decisive victory for Wallace, and he was awarded the guardianship of Scotland. He was probably the greatest unifying factor that Scotland ever had. But the English King once more invaded Scotland, set up his own government and Wallace became an outlaw. Betrayed by Sir John de Menteith near Glasgow, he was tried for treason in London and executed on August 23rd, 1305.

But the Clan Wallace lived on with some forty or fifty branches, most of them having their own lands and territories. The Chiefly line of the Wallaces of Riccarton took on the designation of Craigie after acquiring the Craigie estates by marriage. Other important branches started at Cessnock and Kelly in Renfrewshire. The life of Wallace was well documented by "Blind Harry," the minstrel.

Early History of the Wallace family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wallace research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1642, 1688, 1703, 1720, 1795, 1890 and 1982 are included under the topic Early Wallace History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wallace Spelling Variations

Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Wallace has been spelled Wallace, Wallis, Wallys, Walace, Uallas (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Wallace family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

James Wallace (1642-1688), a Scottish minister in Orkney

Wallace World Ranking

In the United States, the name Wallace is the 106^th most popular surname with an estimated 201,447 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Wallace is ranked the 235^th most popular surname with an estimated 17,179 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Wallace is the 110^th popular surname with an estimated 24,240 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks Wallace as 78^th with 4,599 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks Wallace as 152^nd with 34,450 people. 5

Migration of the Wallace family to Ireland

Some of the Wallace family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wallace migration to the United States +

Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them:

Wallace Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Halbert Wallace, who arrived in New Jersey in 1685 6

Wallace Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Andrew Wallace, who landed in Virginia in 1702 6
Alexander Wallace, who settled in Georgia in 1733
Humphrey Wallace, who landed in Virginia in 1746 6
Hendrick Wallace, who arrived in America in 1760-1763 6
Eleanor, Elizabeth, George, Jane, William, and Mary Wallace all, who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1768

Wallace Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hannah Wallace, who landed in New York, NY in 1815 6
Andrew, Boyd, Daniel, Edward, Francis, George, Hugh, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Robert, Samuel, Thomas, and William Wallace all, who settled in Philadelphia, PA between 1820 and 1870
George Wallace, aged 32, who landed in Texas in 1830 6
Benjamin Wallace, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1833 6
Alexander Wallace, who landed in New York in 1834 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wallace Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James Wallace, who arrived in Arkansas in 1906 6
Miss Ann Wallace, aged 10, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863
Mrs. Maria Wallace, aged 29, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Cynosure" in 1863

Wallace migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wallace Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Jacob Wallace U.E. who settled in Bell Vue, Beaver Harbor, Charlotte County, New Brunswick c. 1783 7
Mr. John Wallace U.E., (Jonathan) (b. 1751) who settled in Carleton [Saint John City], New Brunswick c. 1783 he died in 1840 7
Mr. William Wallace U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 7

Wallace Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Wallace, aged 21, Scottish settler who arrived in Red River Settlement, Canada in 1811 6
William Wallace, aged 39, a farmer, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
Martha Wallace, aged 23, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
Jean Wallace, aged 7, who arrived in Quebec aboard the ship "Atlas" in 1815
Sarah Wallace, aged 22, a servant, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Branches" from London, England
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wallace migration to Australia +

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

Wallace Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Miss Jane Wallace, Irish servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 8
Mr. William Wallace, English convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Caledonia" in 19th June 1822, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
Thomas Wallace, a stone-setter, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
John Wallace, Scottish convict from Aberdeen, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 10
Miss Sarah Wallace, (Wallis), (b. 1789), aged 41, English dairy maid who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl of Liverpool" in December 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she died in 1858 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Wallace 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:

Wallace Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Archibald Wallace, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
Geo Wallace, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Bengal Merchant 12
John Wallace, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1840
John Howard Wallace, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Aurora
John Howard Wallace, aged 23, a mechanic, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aurora" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Wallace (post 1700) +

Alfred Russell Wallace (1823-1913), English naturalist and traveler, who, independently of Darwin, developed a theory of evolution by natural selection
Lewis Wallace (1827-1905), American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, 11th Governor of New Mexico Territory, politician, diplomat, artist, and author from Indiana
Perry Eugene Wallace Jr. (1948-2017), American lawyer and professor of law at Washington College of Law
James B. Wallace (1929-2015), American oil executive, CEO and Chairman of Grease Monkey
Marcia Karen Wallace (1942-2013), American actress, game show panelist, voice artist, and comedienne, best known for her role on The Bob Newhart Show and her Emmy Award winning voice role on The Simpsons
Irving Wallace (1916-1990), American Writers Guild of America nominated best-selling author and screenwriter, best known for The Chapman Report (1960), The Prize (1962), The Word (1972) and The Fan Club (1974)
Amy Wallace (1955-2013), American writer, daughter of Irving Wallace
Myron Leon "Mike" Wallace (1918-2012), American journalist, game show host, actor, and media personality, best known as a correspondent for CBS' 60 minutes
Henry A. Wallace (1888-1965), American politician, 33rd U.S. Vice-President (1941-45)
Lieutenant Colonel George W. Wallace (1872-1946), American Army officer awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in the Philippine-American War
... (Another 266 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Wallace family +

Arrow Air Flight 1285

Mr. Mark E Wallace (1958-1985), American Private 1st Class from Bozeman, Montana, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 13
Mr. Brian E Wallace (1964-1985), American Private 1st Class from Canoga Park, California, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 13

Fraterville mine

Mr. C. A. Wallace (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 14
Mr. John C. Wallace (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 14
Mr. W. Ernest Wallace (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 14
Mr. W. G. Wallace (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 14
Mr. William E. Wallace (d. 1902), American coal miner at Fraterville mine in Tennessee, on the 19th May 1902 when an explosion collapsed the mine; he died 14
... (Another 3 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Lottie L Wallace (1883-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 15

Hillcrest Coal Mine

Mr. Rod Wallace (1914-1914), Canadian Track Layer from Nova Scotia, Canada who worked in the Hillcrest Coal Mine, Alberta, Canada and died in the mine collapse 16

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. William Raymond Wallace (1917-1941), Australian Stoker from Bellbird, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 17

HMS Hood

Mr. James W Wallace (b. 1917), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Sunderland, County Durham, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 18

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Thomas Wallace (1917-1942), Scottish Marine from Paisley, Scotland, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, was listed as missing in action 1942 19
Mr. Malkin Wallace, British Stoker 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 19
Mr. ErneSt Michael Wallace, British Engine Room Artificer 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 19

HMS Repulse

Mr. William Henry Wallace, British Musician, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking, also sailed aboard the HMS Exeter 20
Mr. John Halebarr Wallace, British Ordinary Signalman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Charles Eric Wallace, British Stoker Petty Officer, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20
Mr. Peter Edward Wallace (1923-1942), English Marine from Eltham, Kent, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse and survived the sinking, later lost in 1942 20

HMS Royal Oak

Richard S. Wallace, British Lieutenant (E) with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 21
Andrew James Wallace (1919-1939), British Leading Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 21

Lady of the Lake

Miss Margaret Wallace (b. 1832), traveller who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and she died in the sinking
Mr. Archibald Wallace (b. 1828), labourer who sailed aboard the "Lady of the Lake" from Greenock, Scotland on 8th April 1833 to Quebec, Canada when the ship hit ice and sunk of the coast of Newfoundland on the 11th May 1833 and he died in the sinking

North Sea Flood

James Wallace, British traveler aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" who survived the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953, he died later in Australia
John Wallace, British worker aboard the ferry "Princess Victoria" killed in the North Sea Flood, a major storm surge in 1953

RMS Lusitania

Mr. James Wallace, English Second Waiter from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 22
Miss Delia Wallace, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
Miss Margaret Wallace, American 2nd Class passenger from New York, New York, USA, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 23
Mr. Cyril John George Wallace, English 2nd Class passenger residing in Holyoke, USA returning to England to enlist, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking by escaping in life boat 22 23

USS Arizona

Mr. James Frank Wallace, American Seaman First Class from Wisconsin, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24
Mr. Ralph Leroy Wallace, American Fireman Third Class from Oregon, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24
Mr. Houston Oliver Wallace, American Water Tender First Class from Arkansas, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 24

Victoria steamboat disaster

Thomas J. Wallace, Canadian passenger who was killed in the Victoria steamboat disaster when the boat capsized in 1881

Winter Quarters coal mine

Mr. James Wallace Sr. (b. 1838), Scottish mine worker from Ayr, Scotland residing in Scofield, Utah who worked in the Winter Quarters coal mine on 1st May 1900, when 10 of the 25lb kegs of black powder exploded; he died in the explosion 25

The Wallace 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: Pro libertate
Motto Translation: For liberty.