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![Show Contents]() Wistbrach History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The origins of the Wistbrach name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in one of the places called Westbrook in Kent, Berkshire, or on the Isle of Wight. The surname Wistbrach belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. Early Origins of the Wistbrach familyThe surname Wistbrach was first found in Kent where one of the first records of the name was Reginald de Westbroc who in 1255 was listed in that county's Feet of Fines. A few years later, John de Westbroke was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. Over one hundred years later, Edmind Westbrook was listed in the Feet of Fines of Essex in 1440. 1 Another reference lists Richards de Westbrek in Surrey during the reign of Edward I 2. They were Lords of the manor of Elsted for many years. Early History of the Wistbrach familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wistbrach research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1616, 1659, 1660, 1666, 1675 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Wistbrach History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Wistbrach Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Wistbrach were recorded, including Westbrooke, Westbrook, Westbrock, Westbrocke and others. Early Notables of the Wistbrach familyAnother 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wistbrach Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Wistbrach familyTo escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Wistbrach family emigrate to North America: John Westbrook who settled in West New Jersey in 1664; William Westbrook landed in America in 1772; William T. Westbrook settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1859.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
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