Wesker History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Origins Available: Scotland

Ireland

The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Wesker. The Wesker family lived in Stirling.

Early Origins of the Wesker family

The surname Wesker was first found in Stirlingshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. William Wishart had a grant of the mill from the Abbey of Cambus Kenneth in the year 1200, and was associated with lands at Conon and Tulloch in 1254. Another William Wishart was a monk at St. Andrews in 1250. The family also held the lands of Kenny Murchardyn in 1279. Sir John Wishart rendered homage in 1296 to King Edward I of England on his brief conquest of Scotland.

"Andrew Wycchard (Wyschard or Wychard) of Scotland, a prisoner of war in Hereford Castle, 1305-07. George Wischart was burned for heresy at St. Andrews, 1545/6, and a later George Wischart was first bishop of Edinburgh after the Restoration and private chaplain and biographer of the marquess of Montrose." [1]

"The family are of ancient date in Forfarshire, and are descended from Robert, a natural son of David, Earl of Huntingdon, who having gone on a crusade to the Holy Land, was called Guishart, on account of the slaughter he made of the Saracens. Adam Wishart of Logie, was living in 1272." [2]

Robert Wishart (d. 1316), was Bishop of Glasgow and belonged to the family of Wishart or Wiseheart of Pittarrow, Forfarshire, and was either nephew or cousin of William Wishart, bishop of St. Andrews and chancellor of Scotland. [3]

Much further to the south and much earlier Wigheard, Wighard, or Vighard (d. 664), was Archbishop-elect of Canterbury, a Kentish priest and one of Deusdedit's clergy. "He was nominated to the archbishopric with the assent of the English church by the kings Oswy and Egbert, and was sent, bearing gold and silver vessels, to Rome for consecration. He died of the plague in Rome in 664, before his consecration. " [3]

Early History of the Wesker family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wesker research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1596, 1597, 1593, 1596, 1649, 1513, 1546, 1538, 1546, 1576, 1599, 1671, 1629 and 1599 are included under the topic Early Wesker History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wesker Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Wesker has appeared as Wishart, Wishard, Wychart, Wisehart, Wisheart, Wiseheart and many more.

Early Notables of the Wesker family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family at this time was George Wishart (c.1513-1546) famous reformer and martyr. In 1538, while a schoolmaster at a grammar school in Montrose, he incurred a charge of heresy for teaching the Greek New Testament. After spending some time on the continent, he was sent back to Scotland by Henry VIII to negotiate a marriage contract between Prince Edward and Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1546 he was again arrested and burned at St. Andrews. He was the first to inspire John Knox. [3] Sir John Wishart (d. 1576)...

Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wesker Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wesker family to Ireland

Some of the Wesker family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Wesker family

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. Among them: Patrick Wishart settled in Virginia in 1656.

Contemporary Notables of the name Wesker (post 1700) +

Sir Arnold Wesker (1932-2016), British dramatist and author of 50 plays, 4 volumes of short stories, 2 volumes of essays, a book on journalism and a children's book

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