Map of England showing where the Weatherill arms are recorded
The Weatherill arms were recorded in England, c. 1620.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in York.
Yorkshire is the largest of the English counties, and it held more gentry families than any other. Land there was split among a great many households rather than a few, so a great many of them carried arms.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Weatherill arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of England.
Origin & History of the Weatherill Family in England
The surname Weatherill is a locational name that originated in Northern England, specifically within the historic county of Yorkshire. The name is derived from the Old English words for a ram and a hill, suggesting that the earliest families likely lived near a prominent ridge or pasture where sheep were kept. By the year 1620, records confirm that the Weatherill family was well-established in the city of York, where they were active members of the local community. During this era, families often took their names from the specific geography of their home villages or farms. As these individuals moved into the bustling urban center of York, they carried the name with them, marking their transition from rural landowners to city residents. This connection to the landscape remains the most defining feature of the family history, linking the name directly to the rolling hills of the North.
Weatherill Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Weder-hille
Old English for ram or wether and hill or slope.
This name
WeatherillA topographic name for someone who lived on a hill where rams were grazed.
also spelled
Wetherall
Wetheral
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
Borthwick Institute for Archives, York Diocesan Probate Records, 1620
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
lionCourage, strength and royalty
