Weald History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland/England
Ireland

Etymology of Weald

What does the name Weald mean?

The Weald surname comes from a Scandinavian personal name, which came from the Old Norse "Valþiófr," composed of the elements "val" meaning "battle," and "þiofr," or "thief."

Early Origins of the Weald family

The surname Weald was first found in Roxburghshire where they had been Lords of the manor of Waldeve, near Kelso, from ancient times. 1

"This family, long settled near Kelso, co. Roxburgh, have at different times written themselves Waitho, Watho, Waltho, and Waldie. " 2

However another source notes that the family could have originated further south in England: "As Waltho or Waldie the name crept northwards into Roxburghshire, and there the surname has flourished for centuries." 3

Early History of the Weald family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Weald research. Another 144 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1152, 1400, 1439, 1508, 1526, 1531 and 1547 are included under the topic Early Weald History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weald Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Waldie, Waddy, Waddie, Waldy, Waitho, Waltho and others.

Early Notables of the Weald family

More information is included under the topic Early Weald Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Weald family to Ireland

Some of the Weald family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Weald migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Weald Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Weald, (b. 1783), aged 50, English ploughman who was convicted in Hereford, Herefordshire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 4

The Weald 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: Fidelis
Motto Translation: Faithful.

Sources +

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)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress