Show ContentsWastney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wastney family

The surname Wastney was first found in Leicestershire at Osgarthorp where Sir Philip de Wasteneys, inherited lands through marriage with Hardulph's great-granddaughter, Amphelis in the latter part of the twelfth century.

The name originally known as Gastineys having derived from the district called the 'Gastinois,' lying to the south of Paris and east of Orleans in France.

"The true founder of the family was Goisfridus, described in the Lincolnshire Domesday as 'homo Roberti de Stafford,' and who held lands in Brune, Carleby, Braseburg, and possibly in Dentune, besides the Staffordshire fees at Colton, Tixall, &c. being all portions of the great De Stafford barony, which were handed down for some centuries in the De Wastineys line." 1

"Sir William and Sir Geoffrey de Wasteneys presumed to have been his grandsons-possessed these lands in 1165." 2

Second in descent from the elder brother Sir William, was Sir Philip who married the Leicestershire heiress. He was in arms against King John; and being captured at Mount Sorrel in 1216, was carried prisoner to Nottingham, and forced to surrender part of his Colton estate to John le Mareschal, "as the ransom which should open his prison door." 1

Early History of the Wastney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wastney research. Another 369 words (26 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1216, 1267, 1271, 1281, 1307, 1309, 1325, 1333, 1400, 1622, 1636, 1742 and 1887 are included under the topic Early Wastney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wastney Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wastnage, Wastnidge, Wastnedge, Wastenay, Wasteney, Westnay, Westenay, Wasnidge, Wesnidge and many more.

Early Notables of the Wastney family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Hardolph Wasteneys received a baronetcy from James I. in 1622, and was Sheriff of the county in 1636. One of his younger sons was an ardent Cavalier, "memorable," says Wotton, "for slaying five Persons at the Devizes, co. Wilts, on the behalf of the...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wastney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Wastney migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Wastney Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Edmund Wastney, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
  • Lucy Wastney, aged 29, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • John Wastney, aged 11, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842
  • William Wastney, aged 9, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lloyds" in 1842


  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. Liber Niger Scutarii ("Black Book of the Exchequer"), containing reports by county on feudal holdings in England in 1166 (reign of Henry II)


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