Witny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Witny

What does the name Witny mean?

When the ancestors of the Witny family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Herefordshire, at the village of Whitney.

Early Origins of the Witny family

The surname Witny was first found in Herefordshire where Harold de Whitney held the Lordship of Whitney from St. Guthlac's Church.

Early History of the Witny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Witny research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1377, 1388, 1413, 1436, 1548 and 1601 are included under the topic Early Witny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witny Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Witny has been recorded under many different variations, including Whitney, Witney and others.

Early Notables of the Witny family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Robert Whitney of Whitney-on-Wye and Pencombe, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1377; and Robert Whitney of Whitney-on-Wye, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1413 and 1436.Geoffrey Whitney (1548?-1601?), was an English poet, the son of a father of the...
Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Witny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Witny family to Ireland

Some of the Witny family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Witny 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:

Witny Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Witny, aged 25, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
Jane Witny, aged 23, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872
Florence Witny, aged 11 months, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1872

The Witny 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: Volens et valens
Motto Translation: Willing and able.