The Wheatcroft One name study grew from my initial interest and research into my family history which I began in 2002. I am seeking to establish a world wide database and welcome all contributions. I am interested in all things Wheatcroft/Whitcroft/Whitecraft. Personal stories, social histories,wills, family trees, photographs, in fact please offer anything and everything. Please state if you dont want items published on this website and I will keep for my own personal records only.

Your enquiries are most welcome, I am always happy to try and help you with your research if I can.

email wheatcroft@one-name.org

Wheatcroft Origins

I believe Wheatcroft and its variants to be a locational surname, which derives from the village of that name in North Derbyshire near Crich.

‘Croft’ being land given over to cultivation and ‘Wheat’ possibly derived from White, Whitecroft meaning the settlement on good lands.

My own Derbyshire Wheatcrofts I have conclusively researched back to 1700 in South Wingfield.

Wheatcroft became Whitcraft and subsequently Whitcroft when my ancestors moved from South Wingfield at the begining of the 19th century to take up residence in Ansley, Leicester, Bedworth and Aston.

Their occupations varied from miners to policemen, shop keepers to publicans, many were very well known local sportsmen.

Historical occurrences

Early records of the name and its variants include Adam de Whetecroft 1191 Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire. Semen de Wetecroft 1273 Hundred Rolls of Suffolk. Robert de Wetecroft 1273 Hundred Rolls of Lincoln. Richard de Whatecrofth 1327 Subsidy Rolls Suffolk. Ranulph de Wetecroft, Galfridus de Wetecroft and Walter de Wetecroft Crich taxes 1327. There were Wheatcrofts at Baslow in the 15th century and also in North Wingfield, Stretton, Brampton, and Ashover. Leonard Wheatcroft of Ashover was a very colourful character of his day, a yeoman, writer and poet. His manuscripts printed and published by the Derbyshire Archaeological Journal are deposited at the County Record Office in Matlock.

Famous 20th century Wheatcrofts include Tom Wheatcroft (motor racing) and Harry Wheatcroft( champion rose grower) 1898-1977

Many of my records have been sourced, however I cannot guarantee the accuracy of information that has been passed on to me from others, so please always check original records whenever possible.

If names are duplicated it is because I have received them from multiple sources with unconfirmed added information.

For Wills, Headstones Newspaper Articles etc go to www.wheatcroft.btck.co.uk