Show ContentsWelham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Welham family

The surname Welham was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from ancient times and the Chief branch resided at Ilchester, but the senior branched removed to Poundsford Park in that shire.

Welham is a parish, in the union of Mahket-Harborough, hundred of Gartree, S. division of the county of Leicester. 1 ANd Welham is a village in the civil parish of Clarborough and Welham, in the district of Bassetlaw, Nottinghamshire. Both date back to the Domesday Book where they were listed as Weleham and Wellun, respectively. It is thought that the place names mean "homestead by the stream" and/or "place at the springs." 2

Early History of the Welham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Welham research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Welham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Welham Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Welman, Wellman and others.

Early Notables of the Welham family

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


Australia Welham migration to Australia +

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

Welham Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Sophia Welham, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Buckinghamshire" in 1839 3
  • Mr. William Welham, British convict who was convicted in Ipswich, Suffolk, England for 15 years, transported aboard the "Cornwall" on 28th February 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Welham (post 1700) +

  • Liam Welham (b. 1988), English rugby league footballer
  • Kris Welham (b. 1987), English rugby league footballer from Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, who plays for the Salford Red Devils
  • Tom Welham, British musician in the band Thirteen Senses


The Welham 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: Dei providentia juvat
Motto Translation: The providence of God is our help.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BUCKINGHAMSHIRE 1839. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1839Buckinghamshire.htm
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cornwall


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