Cottrill Origins
English
Brief Family History
Spelling variations of this family name include: Cotterell, Cotterel, Cotteral, Cotteril, Cotterill, Cottral, Cottrall, Cottrell, Cottrel, Coterall, Coterel, Coteril, Coterill, Cotrall, Cotrell, Cottrle, Cotral, Cotraul, Cotrelly and many more.
First found in Derbyshire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Edward Cotterell who settled in Virginia in 1635; John Cotterell settled in New England in 1655; Timothy Cotterill arrived in Boston in 1765; Edward Cotteral arrived in Pennsylvania in 1772.
Crest: A dog's head.
Coat of Arms: Silver with a black bend in between six black escallopes.
Welch Origins
Irish, Scottish
Brief Family History
Spelling variations of this family name include: Walsh, Welsh, Welch, Brannagh and others.
First found in Counties Kilkenny, Leix, and Waterford, in Ireland, where they were seated from 1170.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Jacob Walsh who settled in Boston Mass. in 1635; Thomas Walsh settled in Virginia in 1643; John Walsh settled in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1756; Robin Walsh settled in Quebec in 1825 with his wife and six children.
Motto: Transfixus sed non mortuus
Motto Translated: Transfixed but not dead.
Crest: A swan pierced with an arrow.
Coat of Arms: Silver with a red chevron between three black arrowheads.
Williams Origins
German, Welsh
Brief Family History
Spelling variations of this family name include: Wilhelm, Wilhem, Wilhelmi (Latinized), Wilhelmy, Wilhelmus (Latinized), Wilhelms, Wilhelmsen (Holstein), Wilhalm (Bavaria, Austria), Wilms (Friesland) and many more.
First found in northern Germany, where the name was associated in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would eventually emerge as belonging to a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs. Its use as a Surname must be traced back to its immense popularity as a first name early in the middle ages. Indeed, one chronicle mentions a knight's feast in Bayeux around 1171 a.d.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Wilhelm, who emigrated to America in 1709; Jacob Wilhelmus arrived in Philadelphia in 1727; and was followed by Johannes Wilhelm in 1728; Johann Frantz Wilhelm in 1737.
Motto:
Motto Translated:
Crest: Four roses.
Coat of Arms: A silver with three roses growing out of a heart.