Wilman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Wilman

What does the name Wilman mean?

The ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England produced the name of Wilman. It was given to a wild man. A broad and miscellaneous class of surnames, nickname surnames referred to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. 1

Early Origins of the Wilman family

The surname Wilman was first found in Berkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times and were Lords of the manor of Beaucot, before and after the Norman Conquest in 1066. Some of the first records of the name include John Wildeman who was listed on the Close Rolls during the reign of King Richard II, which lasted from 1377 to 1399 and the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Willelmus Wyldman. 1

Early History of the Wilman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilman research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1621, 1646, 1647 and 1693 are included under the topic Early Wilman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilman Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Wilman has appeared include Wildman, Wyldman, Wileman and others.

Early Notables of the Wilman family

Sir John Wildman (c. 1621-1693), an English soldier and politician. "He seems to have served for a time in Sir Thomas Fairfax's lifeguards, probably about 1646, as it is hinted that he was not one of that body in the days of fighting, and had certainly ceased to belong to it by the autumn of 1647. In the autumn of 1647, when the soldiers of the new model became suspicious of their leaders...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wilman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilman migration to Canada +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Wilman arrived in North America very early:

Wilman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Abigail Wilman, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Contemporary Notables of the name Wilman (post 1700) +

Wilman Conde Roa Jr. (b. 1982), Colombian footballer

The Wilman 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: Tentenda via est
Motto Translation: The way must be tried.

Sources +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)