Wight History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Scotland

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From the historical and enchanting region of Scotland emerged a multitude of noble families, including the distinguished Wight family. Originally, the Scottish people were known only by a single name. Scottish surnames evolved during the Middle Ages when people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Often they adopted names that were derived from nicknames. Nickname surnames were derived from an eke-name, or added name. They usually reflected the physical characteristics or attributes of the first person that used the name. The name Wight is a nickname type of surname for a pale or fair haired person. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English word "hwit," meaning "white."

Early Origins of the Wight family

The surname Wight was first found in at Coldingham, a village in Berwickshire an ancient county of Scotland, presently part of the Scottish Borders Council Area, located in the eastern part of the Borders Region of Scotland, where "Uuiaett Hwite" witnessed King Eadgar's charter of Coldingham, sometime between the years 1097 and 1107. It appears the name may have actually predated the Norman invasion as Old English personal names such as "Huita, Huuita, Hwita" are known to have predated 1066. One Old English charter dated before 925 (the Cartularium Saxonica), there is a "Wulfnoo hwita" listed. Whyte was also used as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic MacGhillebhain. By the mid 12th century, however, most of the bearers of this name in Scotland were of Norman descent. They held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Wight family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wight research. Another 101 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1236, 1376, 1426, 1658 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Wight History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wight Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: White, Whyte, Wight and others.

Early Notables of the Wight family

More information is included under the topic Early Wight Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wight Ranking

In the United States, the name Wight is the 7,053^rd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Wight is ranked the 641^st most popular surname with an estimated 69 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Wight family to Ireland

Some of the Wight family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wight migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Wight Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Hannah Wight, who arrived at Watertown, Massachusetts in 1635-1636
Thomas Wight, who landed in Dedham, Massachusetts in 1639 3
Henry Wight, who arrived in New England in 1647 3
Marke Wight, who landed in Virginia in 1650 3

Wight Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Edward John Wight, age 17, who settled in Maryland in 1735
Elizabeth Wight, aged 21, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 3

Wight Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Walter Wight, aged 49, who arrived in New York in 1812 3
George Wight, who landed in New York in 1820 3
Matthew Wight, who arrived in New York in 1820 3

Wight 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:

Wight Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

David Wight, aged 24, a carpenter, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Mary Wight, aged 27, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Isabella Wight, aged 8 months, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Slains Castle" in 1841
Mr. David Wight, (b. 1816), aged 24, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 4
Mrs. Mary Wight, (b. 1813), aged 27, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Slains Castle" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 25th January 1841 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Wight (post 1700) +

William Wight, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Washington 3rd District, 1988 5
Pearl Wight, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Louisiana, 1908; Member of Republican National Committee from Louisiana, 1908 5
Ira E. Wight Jr., American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Missouri, 1956 5
Fred W. Wight, American politician, U.S. Collector of Customs, 1909 5
Emerson Wight (1815-1890), American Republican politician, Mayor of Springfield, Massachusetts, 1875-78 5
Charles L. Wight, American politician, U.S. Consular Agent in Mahukona, 1882-95 5
Charles H. Wight, American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Kings County 11th District, 1904 5
Amherst Wight Jr., American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Westchester County 2nd District, 1873-74 5
A. W. Wight, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from West Virginia, 1900 5
Paul Wight (b. 1972), American actor, known for his roles in WWE Smackdown! (1999), WWF Raw (1993) and The Waterboy (1998)
... (Another 11 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Wight 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: Labore parta
Motto Translation: Acquired by work.