Show ContentsVitch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Vitch family

The surname Vitch was first found in Berwickshire where they were first recorded when Randolph Veitch (Radulphus uacca) witnessed a charter by Henry de Graham c. 1200. A few years later, Alexander la uache witnessed a charter of the church of Driuesdale between 1214 and 1219 and Dominus Alexander de (for le) Vacca, witnessed a grant by Richard Germyn to the House of Soltre between 1235 and 1258. 1

Early History of the Vitch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vitch research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1296, 1348, 1378, 1387, 1388, 1390, 1393, 1397, 1399, 1408, 1473, 1474, 1484, 1494, 1566, 1567, 1628, 1640, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1685 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Vitch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vitch Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Vitch occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Veitch, Veach, Vitch and others.

Early Notables of the Vitch family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was Sir Philip de la Vache (c. 1348-1408), an English courtier, fought in the French wars and was made Knight of the Chamber in 1378, keeper of the royal park at Chiltern Langley and was a knight of the shire in the Parliament of 1387, appointed captain of the castle of Calais (1388), negotiated a truce with king of France, count of Flanders and the cities of Ghent, Bruges and Ypres (1390), served in Calais until 1393, when he was transferred to Guines, during the Parliament of 1397, he was one of...
Another 162 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vitch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Vitch family to Ireland

Some of the Vitch 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.


Canada Vitch migration to Canada +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Vitch, or a spelling variation of the surname include:

Vitch Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • John Vitch, who was granted lands in George's Cove Marsh, Newfoundland in 1859 2


The Vitch 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: Famam extendimus factis
Motto Translation: We exceed our reputation by deeds.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0


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