Wisterby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the name Wisterby date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the Wisterby family lived in Westby, a small village in Lincolnshire. The name was also found in Lancashire and West Yorkshire. The place name Westby comes from the Old Norse words vestr, or "west," and býr, meaning "a settlement."

Early Origins of the Wisterby family

The surname Wisterby was first found in Lancashire. "The family assert a Saxon descent, and say that they were settled in the hundred of Amounderness, in that county, before the Conquest; but the first member of the family mentioned in the pedigree is Gilbert de Westby, sheriff of Lancashire in 1238." 1

We will not discount this reference's claim but wish to advise the reader that the Assize Rolls of Lincolnshire does list William de Westebi in 1219. 2

The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the pace name as Westbi. 3 The township of Medlar with Wesham in the parish of Kirkham was home to early members of the family. "On the dissolution of monasteries, the land seems to have been granted or sold to the family of Westby; in the reign of Philip and Mary, William Westbye held 'Medlarghe,' 'Wessham,' and other property in this quarter, and his descendants long continued to reside at Mowbrick Hall, now a farmhouse." 4

This latter source also notes the family held estates in Medlar, with Wesham, again in Lancashire: "On the dissolution of monasteries, the land seems to have been granted or sold to the family of Westby; in the reign of Philip and Mary, William Westbye held 'Medlarghe,' 'Wessham,' and other property in this quarter, and his descendants long continued to reside at Mowbrick Hall, now a farmhouse." 4

Early History of the Wisterby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wisterby research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1233 is included under the topic Early Wisterby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wisterby Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Wisterby are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Wisterby include: Westby, Westerby, Westbee, Westbie and others.

Early Notables of the Wisterby family

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

Migration of the Wisterby family to Ireland

Some of the Wisterby family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wisterby family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Wisterby or a variant listed above: Barbara Westby, who arrived in Maryland in 1656; Edward Westby, who came to Virginia in 1664; Joseph Westby and family, who came to New York in 1830; as well as James Westby, who was on record in the census of Ontario of 1871..

The Wisterby 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: Nec volenti nec volanti
Motto Translation: Neither wishing nor flying.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.