Category:Wright
Contents
Members
List of Wright family members on FamilyLore »
Basic History
"Wright" is a surname shared by many distinct family lines. It has several possible origins, including:
- an English occupational surname (i.e., deriving from an ancestor's craft, especially in carpentry);
- an anglicized form of "MacIntyre," from the Scottish Clan MacIntyre (originally "Mac an t-Saoir" – "Son of the Carpenter");
- the Irish kinship sept Mac an Cheairt (literally, "son of the right or righteous") in County Mayo, whose members would sometimes change their name to "Wright;"
- several noble lines, including that of John Wryta, the chief weapons smith for William the Conqueror.
The Wrights investigated by FamilyLore comprise a specific family tree in this vast and diverse forest.
The Wright Family currently being researched by FamilyLore is believed to be descended from Nicholas Wright of Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY. Nicholas and his brothers Peter and Anthony Wright helped to found Oyster Bay, Long Island, NY. Peter Wright is called the "Father of Oyster Bay." Immigrants from England, they settled first in Plymouth Colony, MA but eventually moved to Long Island, NY in 1656. They were devout Quakers and their family played a significant role in the early history of this denomination.
Orville and Wilbur Wright biographer Louis Chmiel in his book Ohio, Home of the Wright Brothers discusses one origin of the "Wright" family surname with a likely descent from John Wryta, a highly skilled craftsman who (along with his sons) accompanied William the Conquerer (while Duke of Normandy) to England during the Norman Invasion. The Wright Brothers Aeroplane Company genealogy page has more information.
Particularly Notable Ancestors
Through Gretchen Myrtle Farwell
The following persons are related to the Wright family through the children of Gretchen Myrtle Farwell, in her marriage to John Wright, Jr. (charts from site administrator's ancestry.com account). Dates subject to change depending on current research.
Direct descent from "Gateway Ancestor" Olive Welby.
Direct descendant of Henry Farwell, husband of Olive Welby, and progenitor of the "Farwell" surname in Colonial America.
(Direct descent from John Buss, American Continental Army soldier from Massachusetts, whose wartime letters have been exhibited by The Library of Congress and other organizations.)
Direct descent from John Balch,"Old Planter" of Massachusetts, cofounder of Salem and Beverly Massachusetts.
(Direct descent from John Woodbury, "Old Planter" of Massachusetts, and cofounder of Salem, Massachusetts.)
(Direct descent from Thomas Gardner, "Old Planter" of Massachusetts and "First Governor" of Massachusetts.)
(Direct descent from Edward I, King of England, "Longshanks," via his son Thomas of Brotherton, Earl of Norfolk.)
(Direct descent from Edward I, King of England, "Longshanks,'" via his daughter Joan of Acre.)
(Direct descent from Henry II, King of England, "Curtmantle," Plantagenet via his son 'William Longespee.')
(Direct descent from 'Ferdinand III of Castile', "Fernando el Santo," canonized in 1671 by Pope Clement X)
(Direct descent from Rodrigo Díaz, Señor de Vivar, Count of Valencia, "El Cid")
Family Heraldry
As would be expected given its diverse origins, the Wright family surname is associated with a number of coats of arms. The right to present armorial bearings was regulated by civil law in Britain, and a source of distinction in itself. A helpful ancestry.com page has compiled examples and histories for a number of Wright family coats of arms (descriptions follow):
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Pages in category "Wright"
The following 13 pages are in this category, out of 13 total.
