Worwyke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Worwyke surname lived in the county of Warwickshire or in the settlement of Warwick in the county of Cumberland. The surname Worwyke belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, farmsteads, counties, or other locations.

Early Origins of the Worwyke family

The surname Worwyke was first found in Cumberland where one of the first on record was Alwine of Warwick who held the castles and manor about the year 1050. His son, Turchil de Warwick 1 appeared in the Domesday Book in 1086 as a tenant of the same manors. "Turchil owned his surname to his office of sheriff or Warwickshire." 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list John de Warrewyc in Yorkshire, Matilda de Warewyck in Cambridgeshire and John de Warewyk in Oxfordshire. 3

Further the north in Scotland, one of the first records of then name there was "Richardus de Warewic [who] witnessed William de Moreuille's charter c. 1196." 4

A few years later, Willelmus de Warewic witnessed a charter by Adam de Hastengis of land of Kegildurs to Aberbrothros c. 1214-1226. Richard de Warwyk del count de Are rendered homage to King Edward I in 1296. 4

Early History of the Worwyke family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Worwyke research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1401, 1406, 1414, 1481, 1609, 1640, 1642, 1680, 1683 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Worwyke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Worwyke 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 Worwyke 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 Worwyke include: Warwick, Warwyke, Warrick, Warrack, Warrock, Warrich and many more.

Early Notables of the Worwyke family

Distinguished members of the family include John Warwick (fl. 1406), an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Totnes in 1406; John Warwick, an English politician, Member of Parliament for Northamptonshire (1401-1406); John Warwick...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Worwyke Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Worwyke family to Ireland

Some of the Worwyke family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Worwyke 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 Worwyke or a variant listed above: James Warwick settled in Placienta, Newfoundland, in 1784; John Warrick settled in Fogo, Newfoundland, in 1804; John Warwick settled in Virginia in 1774.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)