Show ContentsPillinger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Pillinger came to England with the ancestors of the Pillinger family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Pillinger family lived in Yorkshire. The name was a reference to Pilling Manor, where the family lived. This stately residence is in the parish of Tankersley, nine miles from Sheffield, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and now belongs to the distinguished Lord Wharncliffe.

Early Origins of the Pillinger family

The surname Pillinger was first found in Lancashire at Pilling, a chapelry, in the parish and union of Garstang, hundred of Amounderness. " 'Pilyn' was possessed by the abbey of Cockersand until the Dissolution, when Henry VIII. granted lands here." 1 2

Early records of the family are scarce as the first record found was Adam Pilling who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Suffolk in 1283. A few years later, Emma Pylyng was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 3

Early History of the Pillinger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pillinger research. Another 96 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pillinger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pillinger Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Pilling, Pillans, Pilland, Pillings and others.

Early Notables of the Pillinger family

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

Ireland Migration of the Pillinger family to Ireland

Some of the Pillinger family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Pillinger migration to Australia +

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

Pillinger Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • James Pillinger, a mason, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
  • Mr. George Pillinger, English convict who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bardaster" on 7th September 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4
  • Mr. Henry Pillinger, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Blenheim" on 11th March 1837, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Pillinger (post 1700) +

  • Hon. Alfred Thomas Pillinger (1839-1899), Australian landowner and politician in colonial Tasmania, Minister of Lands and Works 1888 to 1892
  • Colin Trevor Pillinger CBE, FRS (b. 1943), British planetary scientist, eponym of the 15614 Pillinger (2000 GA143), a main-belt asteroid


The Pillinger 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: Virtute et robore
Motto Translation: By virtue and strength.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bardaster
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/blenheim


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