Show ContentsWullworde History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Wullworde Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Wullworde

What does the name Wullworde mean?

The name Wullworde came to England with the ancestors of the Wullworde family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Wullworde family lived in Surrey, at Walworth, a hamlet, in the parish and union of St. Mary, Newington, two miles from London. 1 Now part of Greater London, Walworth dates back to Saxon times, where in 1001 it was listed as Wealawryth. By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, it was known as Waleorde. 2 The place name literally means "enclosure of the Britons." 3 But another source claims the name meant "Welshman's farm." 4

Walworth, a township, in the parish of Heighington, union of Darlington in Durham 1 is another possible origin of the family. 5

Early Origins of the Wullworde family

The surname Wullworde was first found in Surrey where they were Lords of the manor of Walworth from early times. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book survey in 1086, Walworth was held by Baynard from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and conjecturally the Walworths are descended from this Baynard a Norman noble. 2

One of the first entries of the family in public rolls was John de Walworth who was listed in London in 1340. Later in Yorkshire, John de Walleworth was found in the Feet of Fines for 1375. Back in London, we found Richard Walleworth in the Assize Rolls of 1400. 5

Sir William Walworth (d. 1385) was Lord May of London and "was descended of good family. A William de Walworth, who may have been his father, was the grantee of land in Darlington in 1314. Sir William himself succeeded a member of the ancient family of Bart, Bard, or Baard, in the tenure of a manor which included the parish of Middleton St. George, near Darlington in Durham." 6

Early History of the Wullworde family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wullworde research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1373, 1374, 1375, 1380, 1381, 1385, 1592 and 1750 are included under the topic Early Wullworde History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wullworde Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Wullworde has been recorded under many different variations, including Wallworth, Wallworthe, Walworth, Walworthe, Woolworth, Woolworthe, Wolworth, Wolworthe, Walwork, Walworke, Wallwork and many more.

Early Notables of the Wullworde family

Sir William Walworth (died 1385), the English nobleman and politician who was twice Lord Mayor of London (1374-1375 and 1380-1381). He is best known for killing Wat Tyler during the Peasants' Revolt in 1381. His family came from Durham. He worked for a time in the Customs House under Geoffrey Chaucer. In his second term of office as Lord Mayor, Tyler and his followers entered south London, Walworth...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wullworde Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wullworde family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Wullwordes were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Hugh Walworth, aged 45; who settled in Maryland in 1774; James Walwork settled there in 1755.
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print

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