Map of England showing where the Wetherill arms are recorded
The Wetherill 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 Wetherill 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 Wetherill Family in England
The surname Wetherill is of English origin and is classified as a locational name, meaning it likely derived from a specific place or geographical feature. Etymologists suggest the name stems from the Old English words for a ram or a wether, combined with a suffix indicating a stream or a hill. By the early seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in the historic city of York. Records from 1620 confirm that members of the Wetherill family were active participants in the civic and social life of this region during the reign of King James I. As the family grew, they became integrated into the local trades and merchant classes that defined the economy of Northern England. This early settlement in York provided a foundation for the family to eventually expand across the British Isles and beyond as the centuries progressed.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Wether
An old English term for a castrated ram.
This name
WetherillA dweller at the stream or hill frequented by rams.
also spelled
Wetherell
Wetherill
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
York City Archives, York City Chamberlains’ Account Rolls, 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
