Wilingham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

When the ancestors of the Wilingham family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Derbyshire, at Willington.

Early Origins of the Wilingham family

The surname Wilingham was first found in Derbyshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Willington. John of Willington held a family seat there at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book, 1 a survey taken by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066 A.D. At the survey Willington was held by Ralph FitzHubert, a Norman overlord, and it is most likely that John of Willington was the second son of Ralph, who took his name from the Lordship of Willington, as was customary in the Norman culture.

The village and civil parish of Cherry Willingham is in the West Lindsey district of Lincolnshire and Willingham by Stow is a rural village nearby.

Early History of the Wilingham family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilingham research. Another 153 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1322 and 1330 are included under the topic Early Wilingham History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilingham Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Wilingham has been recorded under many different variations, including Willington, Willinton, Wilington, Wilinton, de Willington and many more.

Early Notables of the Wilingham family

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

Migration of the Wilingham family to Ireland

Some of the Wilingham family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wilingham family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Wilinghams were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Jane Willington who settled in Virginia in 1699; Mary Willington settled in Jamaica in 1684; and another Mary Willington settled in Virginia in 1653; William Willington settled in Maryland in 1718..

The Wilingham 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: Vigueur de dessus
Motto Translation: Strength is from above.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)