Wylay was first used as a surname in the Scottish/English Borderlands by the Strathclyde-Briton. The first Wylay family lived in Dumfries.
Early Origins of the Wylay family
The surname Wylay was first found in Dumfriesshire
(Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England
that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway
Council Area, where they held a family seat
from ancient times.
Early History of the Wylay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wylay research.Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1590, 1645, 1642, 1643 and are included under the topic Early Wylay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Wylay Spelling Variations
Medieval Scottish names are rife with spelling variations
. This is due to the fact that scribes in that era spelled according to the sound of words, rather than any set of rules. Wylay has been spelled Wiley, Wylie, Whyley, Wyley, Wilie, Wyllie and others.
Early Notables of the Wylay family (pre 1700)
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Wylay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Wylay family to Ireland
Some of the Wylay family moved to Ireland
, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.Another 74 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Wylay family to the New World and Oceana
Many Scots were left with few options other than to leave their homeland for the colonies across the Atlantic. Some of these families fought to defend their newfound freedom in the American War of Independence
. Others went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of these families have recently been able to rediscover their roots through Clan
societies and other Scottish organizations. Among them: James Wiley, his wife and two sisters, who arrived in Boston, Mass in 1766; Isaac Wiley settled in Barbados in 1663; Paul Wiley aged 78; arrived in New York in 1822 with his family.
The Wylay Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto Translation: Faith.
Wylay Family Crest Products