|
West is one of the topographic
surnames which developed in
England at a time when it was
necessary to distinguish one
Harold, John, or William from
another.
The recording clerk would in-
scribe "Harold, from the West,"
and in this way the West sur-
name originated.
So also did the Forest, Atwood
and DuPont names come about
reflecting a distant ancestor who
had residence 'in the forest,' 'at
the woods' or 'near a bridge.'
One of the earliest records which
shows the name as a description
dates back to the year 1379 and
appears as Richardus del West.
In 1461, a Nicholas West was
born in England. He was educat-
ed at Eton and at King's College,
Cambridge, of which he became
a fellow in 1483.
He bacame chaplain to King
Henry VII and in 1509 King Hen-
ry VIII appointed him dean of
St. George's Chapel, Windsor. In
1515 he was elected bishop of Ely
and was for many years trusted
and employed in personal mat-
|
The "West"
coat of arms
appears here.
ters by Cardinal Wolsey.
In the 16th Century West was
also a common name in Gamrie,
Scotland and also in Pertshire
and Lothian. But it has always
been associated with England.
A Thomas West was elevated
to the title of Baron de la Warr.
Born in England in the year
1577, he came to America and
was elected as the first Governor
of the Virginia colony. The State
of Delaware was named after
him.
A Sir William West was gran-
|
tee of Westminster Abbey dur-
ing the reign of King Henry VIII,
which indicates that the name
was prominent from an early
date in English history.
One of the first settlers of the
American colonies was Anthony
West who sailed from England
and arrived with his family to
establish his settlement in Vir-
ginia in the year 1622. Many of
the present day bearers of the
name trace their ancestry to this
patriot.
Grants of arms have been
made to the West name in Eng-
land, Scotland and Ireland and
number 24. One of the most an-
cient and impressive reads
"Azure, a lion rampant or"
which translated shows a blue
background on which is a golden
lion. The blue represents loyalty
and fidelity and the golden lion
majesty and kingship.
If you would like too see the
history of your family name in
a future column write to "What's
in Your Name?", P. O. Box 221,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109, and
it will be given every considera-
tion.
|