Show ContentsWestmoreland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Westmoreland family

The surname Westmoreland was first found in Durham, where the name appeared in the 13th century. The name Westmoreland, like many surnames, came from the place where the family lived, and presumably held some degree of power. Westmorland, originally Westmoringaland was a place in North Yorkshire, the name meaning "the place west of the moors."

Early History of the Westmoreland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Westmoreland research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1242 and 1375 are included under the topic Early Westmoreland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Westmoreland Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Westmorland, Westmoreland, Westmoringaland and others.

Early Notables of the Westmoreland family

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

Westmoreland Ranking

In the United States, the name Westmoreland is the 2,722nd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1


Westmoreland migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Westmoreland Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • James Westmoreland, who arrived in Boston in 1652
  • James Westmoreland, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1652 2

Westmoreland migration to Australia +

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

Westmoreland Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Joshua Westmoreland, English provisions merchant who was convicted in South Holland, (Parts of Holland), Lincolnshire, England for 7 years for manslaughter, transported aboard the "Asiatic" on 5th June 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • John Westmoreland, aged 37, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 4

Westmoreland 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:

Westmoreland Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Joseph Westmoreland, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ida Zeigler" in 1863
  • Edwin Westmoreland, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ida Zeigler" in 1863
  • William Westmoreland, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1883
  • Mary Ann Westmoreland, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1883
  • Annie Westmoreland, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hermione" in 1883
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Westmoreland (post 1700) +

  • Henry Westmoreland, retired American professional soccer goalkeeper
  • Richard Carl Westmoreland (b. 1941), former American college and professional American football player
  • J D Westmoreland (b. 1973), American jazz composer and performer
  • Eric Westmoreland (b. 1977), former American linebacker in the NFL
  • Paul "Okie Paul" Westmoreland (1916-2005), American musician, songwriter, and disc jockey
  • Kathy Westmoreland (b. 1945), American singer
  • General William Westmoreland (1914-2005), American general, commander of American military operations in the Vietnam War, US Army Chief of Staff from 1968 to 1972
  • H. E. Westmoreland, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Minnesota, 1960 5
  • Charles Westmoreland, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from California, 1964 5
  • Charles Westmoreland, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 27th District, 1867-69; Presidential Elector for California, 1868 5
  • ... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


Suggested Readings for the name Westmoreland +

  • Westmoreland Nee Neville by Olin V. Mapes.
  • The Westmores of Hollywood by Frank Westmore.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  4. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) EPAMINONDAS 1852. Retrieved www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1852.shtml
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 4) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook