Willingdon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Willingdon

What does the name Willingdon mean?

The name Willingdon reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Willingdon family lived in Derbyshire, at Willington.

Early Origins of the Willingdon family

The surname Willingdon 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 Willingdon family

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

Willingdon Spelling Variations

Before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Willingdon family name include Willington, Willinton, Wilington, Wilinton, de Willington and many more.

Early Notables of the Willingdon family

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

Migration of the Willingdon family to Ireland

Some of the Willingdon 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 Willingdon family

To escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Willingdon family to immigrate 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..

Contemporary Notables of the name Willingdon (post 1700) +

Freeman Freeman-Thomas Willingdon (1866-1941), English administrator

The Willingdon 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.

Sources +

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