Micklethait History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Micklethait reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Micklethait family lived in Yorkshire, at Micklethwaite, an area of Wetherby on the south bank of the River Wharfe. Micklethwaite is also a hamlet in Cumbria, north east of Wigton.

Early Origins of the Micklethait family

The surname Micklethait was first found in Yorkshire where they were conjecturally descended from the great Norman house of Buron, and was represented by Erneis de Buron, who held the lands of Micklethwaite or Muceltuit at the taking of the Domesday Book in the year 1086. The Micklewright variant was a nickname for "'the mickle wright,' i.e. the big wright." 1

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list: Adam de Mekkclhawayth; Magota Mekkelwayth; Johanna de Mickilwayte; and William de Mickilwayte as all living in Yorkshire and holding lands at that time.

Micklethwaite-Grange is a very small liberty in the Upper division of the wapentake of Barkstone-Ash, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. And today, the town of Micklethwaite is a suburb of Bingley in the West Riding of Yorkshire. "This place is one of the thirty-two lordships granted by the Conqueror to Erneis de Berun." 2

Early History of the Micklethait family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Micklethait research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1612, 1680, 1682, 1718, 1727 and 1734 are included under the topic Early Micklethait History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Micklethait Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Micklethait family name include Muclewaite, Micklethwait, Micklethwayt, Micklethwaite, Muclethwait, Muclethwaite, Muclethwayte and many more.

Early Notables of the Micklethait family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William Micklethwaite; Sir John Micklethwaite M.D. (1612-1682), an English physician, who attended Charles II, President of the Royal College of...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Micklethait Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Micklethait family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Micklethait family to immigrate North America: W. Mucklethwait settled in Barbados in 1722.

The Micklethait 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: Favent numine
Motto Translation: By the favour of Providence.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.