Wye History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Etymology of Wye

The name Wye originates in Wye, Kent, England, a parish, and formerly a market-town, in the union of East Ashford, hundred of Wye, lathe of Shepway, E. about 56 miles (E. S. E.) from London. 1 2 3

"This place is of great antiquity, and was once of considerable importance. It was the head of a royal manor having extensive jurisdiction, and formed part of the demesne lands of the Saxon kings prior to the Conquest, when, with all its appendages, liberties, and royal customs, it was granted to the abbey of Battle, in Sussex, with which it continued till the Dissolution. " 1

Another source claims the name originally meant "Warrior" from the Middle Englih "wy(e)" and the Old English "wíga; from wíg, war." 4

This same source postulates the name could have denoted a "Dweller by one of the Rivers Wye, from the early form of Welsh (g)wy, water: thus the Wye which runs into the Severn is called Gwy in Wales; and one of its tributaries is the Bach-wy = Little Gwy." 4 The noted author Smith extends this further to include "Wey, the names of several British rivers." 5

Early Origins of the Wye family

Early History of the Wye family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wye research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1597, 1602 and 1640 are included under the topic Early Wye History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wye Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wye, Wigh and others.

Early Notables of the Wye family

• Wye Saltonstall (1602 - after 1640) was an English translator and poet, the son of Sir Samuel Saltonstall, and grandson of Sir Richard Saltonstall, Lord Mayor of London in 1597