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| Origins Available: |
| | Wales |
The surname Welsman was first found in Montgomeryshire (Welsh: Sir Drefaldwyn), located in mid-Eastern Wales, one of thirteen historic counties, and anciently the medieval kingdom of Powys Wenwynwyn. Conjecturally they descend from Rolf de Valeys who held the manor and castle of Yaire. Adam the Welshman (c. 1130-1181) was a Welsh theologian and Bishop of St Asaph from 1175 to 1181. Little is known of his life and many people believe he was one in the same as Adam of Balsham ((c. 1100-1157.)
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Welsman research. Another 82 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1176, 1187, 1665, 1732, 1736 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Welsman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
There are relatively few surnames native to Wales, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. Early variations of Welsh surnames can be explained by the fact that very few people in the early Middle Ages were literate. Priests and the few other literate people were responsible for recording names in official documents. And because most people could not specific how to properly record their names it was up to the individual recorder of that time to determine how a spoken name should be recorded. Variations due to the imprecise or improper recording of a name continued later in history when names originally composed in the Brythonic Celtic, language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, were transliterated into English. Welsh names that were documented in English often changed dramatically since the native language of Wales, which was highly inflected, did not copy well. Occasionally, however, spelling variations were carried out according to an individual's specific design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations could be indicated by minor variations. The spelling variations of the name Welsman have included Welshman, Welchman and others.
Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was Edward Welchman (1665-1739), English theologian, son of John Welchman, 'gentleman,' of Banbury, Oxfordshire. "He became chaplain to the bishop of Lichfield, who collated him...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Welsman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
During the latter half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, the people of Wales journeyed to North America to find a new life. They made major contributions to the arts, industry and commerce of both Canada and the United States, and added a rich cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. A look at the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Welsman:
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: