| ![Show Contents]() Wilcs History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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England
Etymology of WilcsWhat does the name Wilcs mean? Wilcs is a name that dates far back into the mists of early British history to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes. It is derived from a medieval given name, a short form of William. 1 Wilcs is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Many patronyms were formed when a son used his father's personal name as a surname, while others came from the personal names of famous religious and secular figures. In this case, the surname was originally derived from the popular medieval surname William, which became even more popular after the Norman Conquest of England, in 1066, led by William the Conqueror. Early Origins of the Wilcs familyThe surname Wilcs was first found in Lancashire where as a forename Wylke de Chyrchele was recorded in the Assize Rolls for 1246. Later the mononym, Wilke was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Cheshire in 1286. The Hundredorum Rolls for Bedfordshire included an entry for Roger Wylk in 1279 and later, John Wilkys was registered in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327. 2 Early History of the Wilcs familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilcs research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1529, 1535, 1545, 1548, 1551, 1553, 1556, 1564, 1570, 1580, 1598, 1600, 1641, 1665, 1666, 1690, 1691, 1732, 1740 and 1760 are included under the topic Early Wilcs History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Wilcs Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Wilcs are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Wilcs include: Wilkes, Wilke, Wilks and others. Early Notables of the Wilcs familyIsrael Wilkes, a 17th century citizen and distiller of London, father of the politician John Wilkes.
Sir Thomas Wilkes (1545?-1598), was an English diplomatist, born about 1545, and is said to have been a native of Sussex. "The Oxford registers do not supply his father's name, and the family occurs in many counties and in many forms, such as Wikes, Wylkes, Weekes, Wyckes, and other variations. A Richard Wilkes (d. 1556) was master of Christ's College, Cambridge, from 1548 to 1553; a Thomas Wilkes represented Chippenham in the Reformation parliament of 1529-1535, and another Thomas Wilkes, haberdasher, of London, was fined 200l...
Another 176 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wilcs Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Wilcs familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Wilcs or a variant listed above: Thomas Wilkes, who came to Virginia in 1653; William Wilkes who arrived in Virginia in 1654; Elizabeth Wilkes, who settled in New England in 1745; and Joseph Wilkes, who came to Maryland in 1776..
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- 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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