Wiseman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Wiseman comes from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It was a name for a wise or learned person. Further research revealed that the name is derived from the Old English words wis, meaning wise or knowledgeable, and man, meaning man. [1]

The family could have ultimately been Norman in origin as “Wisman, of Falaise, Normandy, occurs t. William I. (during the reign of William I)” [2]

Early Origins of the Wiseman family

The surname Wiseman was first found in Essex where they “belonging to the distinguished families of Rivenhall, Northend, Great Baddow, Felstead, etc., and played an important part in the county and frequently served as high sheriffs.” [3]

One of the first records of the family was Ranulph Wisman who witnessed a charter of Beatrix de Say, c. 1140, in favour of Waltham Abbey, Essex. Reginald Wisman, of Essex was listed in 1194. [4]

By the 13th century, records of the name were scattered as seen by the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 which listed Roger Wyseinan, Oxfordshire; Alan Wysman, Cambridgeshire; and John Wysman, Oxfordshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Wysman and Petrus Wysman. 

Further to the north in Scotland, Wiseman was “an old surname in Angus and Moray. Andrea Wysman witnessed excambion of the lands of Dolays Mychel in 1232, and in the following year attested a confirmation charter by Andrew, bishop of Moray. ” [5]

Early History of the Wiseman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wiseman research.

Wiseman Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Wiseman has undergone many spelling variations, including Wiseman, Wyseman, Wysman, Wisman and others.

Early Notables of the Wiseman family (pre 1700)

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Simon Wyssman, knighted in 1513 by King Henry 8th as a result of Sir John’s bravery in action at the Battle of Spurs in the Hundred Years War; Sir Thomas Wiseman of Rivenhall, Essex; and his son, Sir William Wiseman, 1st Baronet.

Wiseman World Ranking

In the United States, the name Wiseman is the 1,461^st most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. [6] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Wiseman is ranked the 102^nd most popular surname with an estimated 321 people with that name. [7] And in Australia, the name Wiseman is the 949^th popular surname with an estimated 4,178 people with that name. [8]

 Migration of the Wiseman family to Ireland

Some of the Wiseman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Wiseman migration to the United States +

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Wiseman were among those contributors: 

Wiseman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Henry Wiseman, who landed in Maryland in 1633 [9]
• Mr. Robert Wiseman, (d. 1637), who left England and arrived in Maryland in 1634 aboard the ship “Ark and Dove” [10]
• Katherin Wiseman, aged 19, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship “Thomas & John” [9]
• John Wiseman, who settled in Virginia in 1652
• Thomas Wiseman, who landed in Maryland in 1652-1659 [9]

Wiseman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Henry Wiseman, who settled in Maryland in 1719
• Hugh Wiseman, who arrived in Charles Town, South Carolina, along with Margaret, Mary and Robert, in 1767
• Philipina Wiseman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1797 [9]
• Wirnart Wiseman, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1797 [9]
• Devenport Wiseman, who arrived in Mississippi in 1798 [9]

Wiseman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Wiseman, aged 47, who landed in Vermont in 1812 [9]
• Timothy Wiseman, aged 38, who arrived in Delaware in 1812 [9]
• Maria Wiseman, who landed in New York, NY in 1840 [9]
• Samuel M Wiseman, who arrived in New York, NY in 1840 [9]
• Maier Wiseman, who arrived in New York in 1842 [9]

Wiseman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• Max Wiseman, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship “Cedric” from Liverpool, England [11]
• Edward Wiseman, originally from Liverpool, who arrived in New York, New York in 1919 aboard the ship “Lapland” from Liverpool, England [12]
• J. Wiseman, aged 48, originally from St. John’s, Nfld, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship “Wellington” from St. John’s, Newfoundland [13]
• Gavin Wiseman, aged 24, originally from Dauville, Kent, who arrived in New York City, New York in 1919 aboard the ship “Rochambeau” from Le Havre, France [14]
• George Wiseman, aged 19, originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, who arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship “Caronia” from Liverpool, England [15]

 Wiseman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Wiseman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• John Wiseman, who settled in Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, in 1774 [16]
• Mr. John Lockhart Wiseman U.E. who settled in Shefford Township, Eastern Townships [La Haute-Yamaska Regional County Municipality], Quebec c. 1784 he was an associate of Capt. John Savage [17]
• Peter Wiseman, who settled in St. John’s, Newfoundland, in 1797 [16]

 Wiseman migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Wiseman Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Edward Wiseman, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the “Eliza” on 13th July 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
• John Wiseman, a harness-maker, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
• Mrs. Harriet Wiseman, English convict who was convicted in York, Yorkshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the “Cadet” on 10th November 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [19]
• Miss Elizabeth Wiseman, (b. 1835), aged 13, English settler traveling with Elizabeth Wiseman convict, transported aboard the “Cadet” on 10th November 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [19]
• Mr. Miles Wiseman, (b. 1839), aged 9, English settler traveling with Elizabeth Wiseman convict, transported aboard the “Cadet” on 10th November 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [19]

 Wiseman migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Wiseman Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Wiseman, (b. 1842), aged 21, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship “Huntress” arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 [20]
• Miss Ann Wiseman, (b. 1849), aged 21, British general servant travelling from London aboard the ship “Monarch” arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1870 [20]

Contemporary Notables of the name Wiseman (post 1700) +

• Thomas Anderton Wiseman Jr. (1930-2020), American jurist, District Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee from 1978 to 1995
• Malcolm B. “Mac” Wiseman (1925-2019), American bluegrass singer
• Lt. Commander Gregory Reid Wiseman (b. 1975), American Navy test pilot and NASAastronaut candidate [21]
• Mac Wiseman (b. 1925), American country-folk singer
• Frederick Wiseman (b. 1930), American documentary filmmaker
• Lee V. Wiseman, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 5 aerial victories
• J. Frank Wiseman, American Democratic Party politician, City manager of Clarksburg, West Virginia, 1951 [22]
• Fred E. Wiseman, American politician, Postmaster at Charleston, West Virginia, 1957-60 (acting, 1957-58) [22]
• Emmett O. Wiseman (1903-1989), American Democratic Party politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Fayette County, 1935-36; Member of West Virginia State Senate, 1937-40 [22]
• Earl Wiseman, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arkansas, 1936 [