Wistcott History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Wistcott surname is thought to pre-date the Norman invasion of Great Britain. It is derived from the Old English words "West" and "cot," together meaning "west cottage or shelter." The name was used by several different parishes and hamlets in counties Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. As a surname, it would have been first used by someone who came from Westcott.

Early Origins of the Wistcott family

The surname Wistcott was first found in Devon where the first recorded instance of the name seems to be of Westcote, in the Domesday Book of 1086. Other early references include Tubertus de Westcotta, listed in the Pipe Rolls for Berkshire in 1170, and Robert de Westecote listed in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1221. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list Ricardus de Westkote in Buckinghamshire, Nicholas de Westcote in Oxfordshire, and William de Westcote in Somerset. Kirby's Quest taken during the reign of Edward III lists Richard de Wescote in Somerset. 2 3

"The Westcotts are now established in the North Molton district. Westcote was the name of an old gentle family of Shobrook that dated back to the reign of Henry VIII. The Westacotts are at home in Barnstaple and its vicinity. Martin Westacot was a Barnstaple man in the reign of Anne. Westacott is the name of hamlets in North Devon. There are also hamlets named Westcott in the county. In fact, Westcott and Westcote are common place - names in the south of England. Wescott is the Somerset form of the surname." 4

Early History of the Wistcott family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wistcott research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1524, 1582, 1624 and 1636 are included under the topic Early Wistcott History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wistcott Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Westcote, Westcot, Westcott, Westecott, Westacott and others.

Early Notables of the Wistcott family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Thomas Westcote of WestcoteWestcott; and Sebastian Westcott (also spelt Wescott or Westcote) (c.1524-1582), an English organist at St. Paul's Cathedral, best known for staging performances of plays with the Children of Paul's. Thomas Westcote (fl. 1624-1636), was an English topographer, baptised at Shobrooke in Devonshire. He was the third son of Philip Westcote...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wistcott Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wistcott family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Westcott, who was a shoreman of St. John's, Newfoundland in 1774; Daniel Westcoat, who settled in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766; Peter and Sarah Westcoate, who settled in New England in 1771.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.