The Willitch name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon
tribes of Britain. Willitch is derived from William
Tracing the origin of the name further, we found the name Willitch was originally derived from the Germanic elements will,
meaning resolve, helm,
an affectionate or diminutive suffix commonly used in ancient times. With the additional suffix, cox,
the name was taken to mean the son of little William. CITATION[CLOSE]
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
Early Origins of the Willitch family
The surname Willitch was first found in Lancashire
where one of the first records of the name was listed simply as Wilcok with no personal name
in the Assize Rolls of that shire in 1246. Wilcoc was listed in the Assize Rolls of Cheshire
in 1286 and William Wylecok was listed in Somerset
in the Assize Rolls of 1254. Quite of few of the family were found in Yorkshire
as shown by John Wilcokes who was listed there in 1316. CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
By the time of the Yorkshire Poll Tax
Rolls of 1379, there were numerous entries for the name including those with the "son" extension: Richard Wilokson; Adam Wylkokson; Raddulfus Wycok; and Willelmus Wilkocson. CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Willitch family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Willitch research.Another 195 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1600, 1480, 1541, 1558, 1588, 1929, 1515, 1585 and 1562 are included under the topic Early Willitch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Willitch Spelling Variations
Before the last few hundred
years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations
are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon
surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Willitch were recorded, including Wilcox, Wilcocks, Willock, Wallock and others.
Early Notables of the Willitch family (pre 1700)
Distinguished members of the family include Nicolaus Wollick (c.
1480-1541), English music theorist; Robert Willcox (1558-1588), an English Catholic martyr (one of the Oaten Hill Martyrs) who was hung, drawn and quartered; he was beatified by Pope Pius XI... Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Willitch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Willitch family to Ireland
Some of the Willitch family moved to Ireland
, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 67 words (5 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 Willitch family to the New World and Oceana
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England
went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Willitch family emigrate to North America: John Willcocks was a shoreman of St. John's, Newfoundland, who had settled there in 1754; John Wilcock settled in Brigus, Newfoundland, in 1801; John Wilcocks was Master of the ".