Show ContentsWaspoole History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Waspoole family

The surname Waspoole was first found in Wiltshire at Smallbrook, in the parish of Warminster (now a lost village.)

"Smallbrook, in the parish of Warminster (a part of the Duchy of Lancaster) was held, as early at least as the reign of Henry II., by the family of Waspail by military fee. The Waspails came in with the Conqueror, and were at first tenants to the family of Clare, and afterwards became proprietors, for we frequently see their seal used in old deeds. Their residence was for many ages at Smallbrook (their mansion of Olwey), but for the last generation or two at Hertley-Waspail, or Steple Hertley, Hants." 1

Hartley-Westpall is now a parish, in the union of Basingstoke, hundred of Holdshott, Basingstoke and N. divisions of the county of Southampton. 2

This source goes on to note that "Roger [Waspail] held from Coeur de Lion in 1194; William in 1295, and John in 1359 : the latter is also styled Lord of Hertley-Waspail, and built the existing parish church. There is no mention of the name after the time of Henry VI., when Smallbrook 'appears to have passed by a female heir to Hugh Pakenham.' " 1

St. Mary's Church in Hartley Wespall, now in Hampshire mentioned above survives today after being rebuilt by Gilbert Scott in 1868-69.

Back in Wiltshire, Roger Waspeil was listed in the Pipe Rolls there in 1130; Henry Waspail in the Curia Regis Roll for 1228 and John Waspal in the Feet of Fines for 1364. In Suffolk, Peter Waschepaille was listed there in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 3

Early History of the Waspoole family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Waspoole research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1172, 1228, 1284 and 1364 are included under the topic Early Waspoole History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Waspoole Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wespall, Wespail, Wespall, Waspell, Waspail, Waspall, Wastpall, Westpall, Westpell, Waspale, Waspoole, Westpool, Wastpoole and many more.

Early Notables of the Waspoole family

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

Migration of the Waspoole family to Ireland

Some of the Waspoole family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Waspoole family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers were recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Florida, and to the islands..



  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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