Westacott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Westacott surname is thought to pre-date the Norman invasion of Great Britain. It is derived from the Old English words "West" and "cot," together meaning "west cottage or shelter." The name was used by several different parishes and hamlets in counties Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. As a surname, it would have been first used by someone who came from Westcott.

Early Origins of the Westacott family

The surname Westacott was first found in Devon where the first recorded instance of the name seems to be of Westcote, in the Domesday Book of 1086. Other early references include Tubertus de Westcotta, listed in the Pipe Rolls for Berkshire in 1170, and Robert de Westecote listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1221. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Ricardus de Westkote in Buckinghamshire, Nicholas de Westcote in Oxfordshire, and William de Westcote in Somerset. Kirby's Quest taken during the reign of Edward III lists Richard de Wescote in Somerset. 2 3

"The Westcotts are now established in the North Molton district. Westcote was the name of an old gentle family of Shobrook that dated back to the reign of Henry VIII. The Westacotts are at home in Barnstaple and its vicinity. Martin Westacot was a Barnstaple man in the reign of Anne. Westacott is the name of hamlets in North Devon. There are also hamlets named Westcott in the county. In fact, Westcott and Westcote are common place - names in the south of England. Wescott is the Somerset form of the surname." 4

Early History of the Westacott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Westacott research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1582, 1624 and 1636 are included under the topic Early Westacott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Westacott Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Westcote, Westcot, Westcott, Westecott, Westacott and others.

Early Notables of the Westacott family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Thomas Westcote of WestcoteWestcott; and Sebastian Westcott (also spelt Wescott or Westcote) (c.1524-1582), an English organist at St. Paul's Cathedral, best known for staging performances of plays with the Children of Paul's.Thomas Westcote (fl. 1624-1636), was an English topographer, baptised at Shobrooke in Devonshire. He was the third son of Philip Westcote...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Westacott Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Westacott migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Westacott Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ethel Westacott, aged 28, arrived in New York in 1893 aboard the ship "Gallia" from Liverpool, England 5

Westacott Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Richard Westacott, aged 41, originally from Newcastle, arrived in New York in 1904 aboard the ship "Oceanic" from Liverpool, England 5
Elizabeth Westacott, aged 39, originally from Newcastle, arrived in New York in 1904 aboard the ship "Oceanic" from Liverpool, England 5
Bessie Westacott, aged 33, arrived in New York in 1904 aboard the ship "Aurania (1883)" from Liverpool, England 5
Arthur R Westacott, aged 28, originally from London, arrived in New York in 1905 aboard the ship "Philadelphia" from Southampton, England 5
Elizabeth Westacott, aged 41, arrived in New York in 1910 aboard the ship "Caronia" from Liverpool, England 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Westacott migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Westacott Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. Edward Westacott, (b. 1815), aged 40, English shoemaker, from Dorset, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, he survived the sinking 6
Mrs. Ellen Westacott, (b. 1822), aged 33, English settler, from Dorset, England, UK departing from Falmouth destined for Quebec, Canada aboard the ship "Barque John" on 3rd May 1855 which sank after striking the reef, she died in the sinking 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Westacott (post 1700) +

Richard Westacott (b. 1849), American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in London, 1916-17 7
David "Dai" Westacott (1882-1917), Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cardiff (1903-1910)
John Westacott (b. 1933), former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray (1955-1957) and in 1959
Emily Hood Westacott (1910-1980), née Hood, an Australian female tennis player in the 1930s, winner of the Australian Championship singles in 1939

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/wreck_of_emigrant_ship_john_1855.pdf
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html