Contents [hide]

Welch History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Australia New Zealand West Indies

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Sources

Welch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Welch

What does the name Welch mean?

With the arrival of the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 11th century came new naming traditions to the eastern region of Ireland. These new naming traditions actually meshed fairly well with the pre-existing Irish traditions. Both cultures made significant use of hereditary surnames. And like the native Irish, the Strongbownians often used prefixes to build patronymic surnames, which are names based on the given name of the initial bearer's father or another older relative. Strongbow's followers often created names that were built with the prefix Fitz-, which was derived from the French word fils, and ultimately from the Latin filius, both of which mean son. They also used diminutive suffixes such as -ot, -et, -un, -in, or -el, and occasionally even two suffixes combined to form a double diminutive such as -el-in, -el-ot, -in-ot, and -et-in, to build patronymic names. The surname Welch is derived from Breat(h)nach which literally means Welshman. Phillip Brenagh, known as "Phillip the Welshman" was likely the progenitor of the family. Phillip and his brother David arrived with Strongbow, in 1170.

Early Origins of the Welch family

The surname Welch was first found in Counties Kilkenny, Leix, and Waterford, in Ireland, where they held a family seat from 1170.

Early History of the Welch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Welch research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1170, 1580, 1604, 1606, 1615, 1618, 1654 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Welch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Welch Spelling Variations

A single person's name was often spelt simply as it sounded by medieval scribes and church officials. An investigation into the specific origins the name Welch has revealed that such a practice has resulted in many spelling variations over the years. A few of its variants include: Walsh, Welsh, Welch, Brannagh and others.

Early Notables of the Welch family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was Rev. Peter Walsh (1618-1688), who wrote "The Loyal Remonstrance"; for which he was excommunicated from the Franciscan Order; John Walsh...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Welch Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Welch World Ranking

In the United States, the name Welch is the 240^th most popular surname with an estimated 109,428 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Welch is ranked the 830^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,730 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Welch is the 539^th popular surname with an estimated 1,297 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Welch as 475^th with 13,609 people. 4

Welch migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape the horrific conditions. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Welch:

Welch Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mary Welch, who landed in Virginia in 1637 5
Morgan Welch, who arrived in Virginia in 1638 5
Nicholas Welch, who landed in Virginia in 1638 5
Daniell Welch, who landed in Virginia in 1638 5
Gilbert Welch, who landed in Virginia in 1650 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Welch Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jone Welch, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 5
Reuben Welch, who landed in Virginia in 1719 5
Jacob Welch, aged 21, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 5
Hans Martin Welch, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1738 5
Peter Welch, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1742 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Welch Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Nally Welch, aged 31, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 5
Edmond Welch, aged 47, who landed in Tennessee in 1812 5
Abraham Welch, who arrived in New York in 1834 5
Lawrence Welch, who arrived in Morgan County, Illinois in 1840 5
Robert Welch, aged 26, who landed in St Louis, Missouri in 1840 5
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Welch Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

James Welch, who arrived in Alabama in 1918 5
Rudolph George Welch, who arrived in Alabama in 1919 5

Welch migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Welch Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Thomas Welch, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mr. William Welch U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway, [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on December 13, 1783 was passenger number 428 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on November 14, 1783 at East River, New York, USA 6
Mr. Thom Welch Jr., U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 6
Mr. Samuel Welch U.E. who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 6
Mr. Samuel Welch U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 6

Welch Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Welch, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
Joseph Welch, aged 20, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "John & Mary" from Belfast, Ireland
Robert Welch, aged 40, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
Catherine Welch, aged 45, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Salus" in 1833
Jabin T Welch, who arrived in Canada in 1834
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Welch migration to Australia +

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

Welch Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. John Welch, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7

Welch Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Welch, (Welsh, Walsh), (b. 1778), aged 24, Irish convict who was convicted in Wicklow, Ireland for lif for being an Irish rebel , transported aboard the "Atlas" on 30th May 1802, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1861 8
Mr. John Welch, English convict who was convicted in Plymouth, Devon, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
Mr. James Welch, English convict who was convicted in Westminster, London, England for life, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Michael Welch, English convict who was convicted in Southwark, London, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. James Welch, English convict who was convicted in Sussex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Welch Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

"Mrs. Jane Welch, (b. 1800), aged 28, Irish house maid from Drogheda who was convicted in London, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ""Competitor"" on 9th June 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, listed as having 1 child aboard the ship and being pregnant" 12

Welch migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Welch Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Elizabeth Delahey Welch, aged 46, a sempstress, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
Edward Welch, aged 18, a butcher, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
Frances Welch, aged 15, a shoebinder, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
Henry Welch, aged 26, a butcher, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
Mary Welch, aged 21, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "London" in 1840
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Welch (post 1700) +

Leon "Lenny" Welch (1938-2025), American MOR and pop singer, born in New York City, and raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey, biggest hit, a cover version of the big band standard "Since I Fell for You," reached number 4 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1963
Raquel Welch (1940-2023), born Jo Raquel Tejada, American Golden Globe winning actress, author and sex symbol in the 70s
Susan Welch (1943-2022), American political scientist, Dean of the College of the Liberal Arts at Pennsylvania State University (1991-2019), the longest serving dean in Penn State's history
John Francis "Jack" Welch Jr. (1935-2020), American business executive, author, and chemical engineer, Chairman and CEO of General Electric between 1981 and 2001
Walter Wilbert Welch (1918-2015), American pastor and educator
Tahnee Welch (b. 1961), American actress, known for her roles in Cocoon (1985), I Shot Andy Warhol (1996) and Cocoon: The Return (1988), daughter of Rachel Welch
General Larry D. Welch (b. 1934), the 12th Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
Edward J. Welch (1922-2014), American research chemist for DuPont who developed Silverstone, a non-stick plastic coating for cooking materials
Christopher Evan Welch (1965-2013), American stage, film and voice actor
Jack Welch (1905-1985), American illustrator, best known for his cover illustrations for The Saturday Evening Post
... (Another 155 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Welch family +

HMS Hood

Mr. Sidney C T Welch (b. 1918), English Marine serving for the Royal Marine from Littlehampton, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 13
Mr. Reginald A Welch (b. 1911), English Petty Officer serving for the Royal Navy from Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 13
Mr. Albert C W Welch (b. 1920), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Petworth, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 13

HMS Repulse

Mr. Stanley Welch, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 14

HMS Royal Oak

John W. Welch, British Stoker Petty Officer with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 15

USS Arizona

Mr. Frank Welch Jr., American Ensign working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he survived the sinking 16

The Welch 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: Transfixus sed non mortuus
Motto Translation: Transfixed but not dead.

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/competitor
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html