Wilter History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Wilter

What does the name Wilter mean?

The name Wilter has multiple possible origins. Harrison notes the name "represents the common Anglo-Saxon personal name Wealdhere = Mighty Army [Old English ge)weald, power, might + here, army]." 1 Smith notes the name denotes "dweller in a forest; descendant of Wealdhere." 2 Arthur claims the name denotes "represents the common Anglo-Saxon personal name Wealdhere." 3 And Reaney believes the name is from the Old English word "wildeor" meaning "wild animal." 4

Early Origins of the Wilter family

The surname Wilter was first found in Derbyshire where William Wilder, Wyldere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. 4

Wilder is an old Reading [Berkshire] name; William Wilder was mayor in 1651, and a second William Wilder held this office in 1714. The name is still in the town." 5

Early History of the Wilter family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wilter research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1450 is included under the topic Early Wilter History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wilter Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wilder, Wylder, Wilde and others.

Early Notables of the Wilter family

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

Migration of the Wilter family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Roger Wilder, passenger on the " Mayflower" which arrived in Plymouth in 1620; Thomas and Martha, and their daughter Mary Wilder who settled in Charlestown, Mass in 1638. They were from Shiplake in Oxfordshire..

The Wilter 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: Virtuti maenia cevant
Motto Translation: Let walls yield to valour.

Sources +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.