Show ContentsMcQuilkin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Norman Conquest of England of 1066 added many new elements to the already vibrant culture. Among these were thousands of new names. The McQuilkin name is derived from the Norman personal name Wilkins, which in turn is derived from the name William. William, which is derived from the words will, meaning resolution and helm, meaning armed. [1]

Early Origins of the McQuilkin family

The surname McQuilkin was first found in Durham where they held a family seat from early times. They were descended from Robert de Wintona, of Glamorgan, one of twelve knights who came into Glamorgan with Robert Fitzhamon, a Norman noble, in 1066. Fitzhamon was Sheriff of Kent and founder of Tewkesbury. [2]

"This name is almost entirely confined to the northern half of England, as defined by a line drawn west from the Wash. It is best represented in Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, and Lancashire, and is also fairly numerous in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, and Cheshire. " [3]

Early rolls provided a wide range of spellings that have been used over the centuries: Roger Wyleconsesone, found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1332; and Thomas Wilkynson in the Subsidy Rolls for Cumberland in 1332. [4] The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Adam Wylkynson and Thomas Wylkynson. [5]

Early History of the McQuilkin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McQuilkin research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1566, 1586, 1597, 1601, 1610, 1613, 1616, 1646, 1647, 1650, 1675, 1690, 1728, 1738, 1797, 1798, 1808, 1875 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McQuilkin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McQuilkin Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Wilkinson, Wilkisson, Wilkiesson and others.

Early Notables of the McQuilkin family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Henry Wilkinson (1610-1675), an English clergyman, Lady Margaret's Professor of Divinity, and member of the Westminster Assembly. He was the son of Henry Wilkinson (1566-1647), by his wife Sarah, was born at Waddesdon, Buckinghamshire. His father, who was elected fellow of Merton College, Oxford, in 1586, was created B.D. on 7 July 1597, and was from 1601 till his death on 19 March 1646-1647 rector of Waddesdon. Henry the younger was Canon of Christ Church, Oxford, son of Henry Wilkinson (1566-1647.) [6]Henry Wilkinson (1616-1690), was an English clergyman and academic, Principal of Magdalen...
Another 226 words (16 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McQuilkin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the McQuilkin family to Ireland

Some of the McQuilkin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McQuilkin migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name McQuilkin or a variant listed above were:

McQuilkin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John McQuilkin, who landed in St Clair County, Illinois in 1864 [7]
McQuilkin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • David McQuilkin, aged 29, who arrived in New York in 1905 aboard the ship "Furnessia" from Glasgow, Scotland [8]
  • Frederick McQuilkin, aged 23, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Mary Luckenbach" from Hamburg, Germany [8]
  • James Andrew McQuilkin, aged 17, originally from Bessbrook, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England [8]
  • John McQuilkin, aged 22, originally from Port Glasgow, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Columbia" from Glasgow, Scotland [8]
  • James McQuilkin, aged 22, who arrived in New York in 1923 aboard the ship "Metapan" from Kingston, Jamaica [8]


The McQuilkin 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: Non mihi sed tibi gloria
Motto Translation: Glory to thee, not to me.


  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  7. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  8. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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