Show ContentsWythington History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wythington family

The surname Wythington was first found in Derbyshire at Whittington, a parish, in the union of Chesterfield, hundred of Scarsdale. There are others locals of the same name found in Gloucestershire, Lancashire, Northumberland, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

To confuse the reader more, we draw your attention to the following quote under the township of Whittingham: "Warin de Whitington, who lived in the reign of John, held lands in the township, and his descendants held the manor in the reign of Edward II. The family long continued connected with the place; and a Richard Whittingham, who had two sons and a daughter, was living in the middle of the last century. [1700s]"

Richard Whittington (c. 1354-1423), the medieval merchant and politician who was the inspiration for the folk tale "Dick Whittington and His Cat" was from Gloucestershire, but his family claim descent from Staffordshire. Like the rhyme claims, he was in fact, Lord Mayor of London four times. 1

The Whittington Stone on Highgate Hill in front of Whittington Hospital has a statue in honour of Whittington's legendary cat.

"A nefarious attempt has been made to rob him of his cherished and beneficent cat, whose existence has been explained away as a popular error. She is said to have been nothing more than a flat-bottomed boat, such as are commonly used in the Thames for carrying coal from the colliers to the wharf, then known as "cats," of which he owned a considerable number. With these, as is asserted, he built up his fortune. Others, again, maintain that his success in life " was the result of commercial transactions, called in the fourteenth century ' achatting.'" But, as if to refute these laboured and far-fetched derivations, an efifigy that curiously confirmed the old belief was brought to light in 1861. " In an old house, then pulled down in Westgate Street, Gloucester, was found a sculptured tablet intended to be placed over a doorway or chimney-piece, representing a boy in a long loose gown reaching to his feet, with a hood dropped on his shoulder, and fastened by a button to the throat, holding a cat in his arms. The Whittingtons had, according to old deeds, a tenement in Westgate Street in 1460." 2

Early History of the Wythington family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wythington research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1354, 1397, 1406, 1419, 1423, 1480 and 1553 are included under the topic Early Wythington History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wythington Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Whitington, Whittington, Whyttington and others.

Early Notables of the Wythington family

Distinguished members of the family include Robert Whittington (Wittinton) (c. 1480-c. 1553), an English grammarian; and Sir Richard Whittington (c. 1354-1423), the famous "Dick Whittington," was Lord Mayor of London in...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wythington Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wythington family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Stephen Whittington who settled in St. Christopher in 1633; Thomas and Mary Whittington settled in Virginia in 1653; Thomas Whittington settled in Maryland in 1774..



The Wythington 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: Sapere aude
Motto Translation: Dare to be wise.


  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  2. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3


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