| ![Show Contents]() Vatch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Vatch Coat of Arms CreationVeitch was a name common in Tweeddale, Scotland and the spelling to begin with was Vaca or Vach. Some assert that the Veitches got their crest-a bullock's head-from the Latin ,word for a cow, but it is more likely that it was because they were of much assistance to Robert the Bruce in bringing in from the enemy a herd of bullocks or cows when he was in dire need of supplies, and their motto; "Famam extendimus factis " (We extend our reputation by deeds), would seem to justify this second surmise. 1 Early Origins of the Vatch familyThe surname Vatch was first found in Berwickshire, Scotland where they were first recorded when Randolph Veitch (Radulphus uacca) witnessed a charter by Henry de Graham c. 1200. A few years later, Alexander la uache witnessed a charter of the church of Driuesdale between 1214 and 1219 and Dominus Alexander de (for le) Vacca, witnessed a grant by Richard Germyn to the House of Soltre between 1235 and 1258. 2 Early History of the Vatch familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vatch research. Another 164 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1296, 1348, 1378, 1387, 1388, 1390, 1393, 1397, 1399, 1408, 1473, 1474, 1484, 1494, 1566, 1567, 1628, 1640, 1679, 1681, 1683, 1685 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Vatch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Vatch Spelling VariationsThe name Vatch, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Veitch, Veach, Vitch and others. Early Notables of the Vatch familyNotable amongst the family name during their early history was Sir Philip de la Vache (c. 1348-1408), an English courtier, fought in the French wars and was made Knight of the Chamber in 1378, keeper of the royal park at Chiltern Langley and was a knight of the shire in the Parliament of 1387, appointed captain of the castle of Calais (1388), negotiated a truce with king of France, count of Flanders and the cities of Ghent, Bruges and Ypres (1390), served in Calais until 1393, when he was transferred to Guines, during the Parliament of 1397, he was one of...
Another 162 words (12 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vatch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Vatch family to IrelandSome of the Vatch family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Vatch familyThe New World beckoned as many of the settlers in Ireland, known as the Scotch/Irish, became disenchanted. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Amongst the early settlers who could be considered kinsmen of the Vatch family, or who bore a variation of the surname Vatch were James Veach, who settled in Virginia in 1654; Henry Veach, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773; James Veitch, who came to New York in 1822; Alexander Veitch, who arrived in New York in 1853.
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: Famam extendimus factis
Motto Translation: We exceed our reputation by deeds.
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
- 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)
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