About

Introducing the Whitcombe ‘Extended Family Network’ Project

Origin of the Surname

The Whitcombe surname, rooted in the Old English words ‘Wid’ (wide) and ‘Cumb’ (valley), paints a vivid picture of a the ‘Wide Valley’ from where our journey begins.

First appearing as ‘Widecome’ in the Anglo-Saxon Charters of 934 and the Domesday Book of 1086, then evolving to ‘Wydecombe’ in 1461, and finally to ‘Whitcombe’ by 1573, it encapsulates a rich history tied to England’s landscapes and centuries of stories.

Whitcombe is more than just a surname. It’s testament to a profound ancestral connection with land, reflected in the picturesque village of Whitcombe, Dorset, with its emblematic church, thatched cottages, and manor house.

Empowering a Whitcombe Legacy

We are on a mission to create the ultimate hub for the Whitcombe family surname – stories and history, celebrating our lineage while inspiring future generations. Our project is about more than preserving the past; it’s about fostering a community that honours our heritage, inspires greatness, and nurtures a sense of belonging.

Our Principles

• Respect: To cherish the deep history and traditions of the Whitcombe name.
• Inspiration: To encourage Whitcombes and history enthusiasts to perue excellence.
• Community: To cultivate unity among Whitcombes and genealogy aficionados worldwide.

Our Initiatives

• WHITCOMBE Hall of Fame: Our blog to celebrate Whitcombes who have left indelible marks on the world https://whitcombe.com/hall-of-fame/
• WHITCOMBE Mentoring: Our LinkedIn Group to offer mentorship and career advice to nurture the professional development of Whitcombes https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13955315/
• WHITCOMBE Funding: To provide funding and support to Whitcombe entrepreneurs, from seed to Series A stages https://whitcombe.com/funding/
• WHITCOMBE Shop: An online shop offers unique items to own a piece of the Whitcombe legacy (and help fund this site as well as the foundation) https://whitcombe.com/shop/
• WHITCOMBE Foundation: To support Whitcombes who have fallen on hard times and just need a little help https://whitcombe.com/foundation/

Get involved. If you have skills in web development, copywriting, design, research, or are just curious and want to help, please get in touch. Your support is invaluable to sustaining our vision.

A note from me : )

I’ve always been curious about our surname.

As a ten-year-old, I’d flip through the phone book looking for other Whitcombes. (Yes—back in the 1980s, they printed everyone’s name and number in a massive book and delivered it to every household in town.)

That curiosity never really went away. Even now, I still find myself scanning name lists whenever the opportunity arises—like the time I was at the headquarters of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) at One Moorgate Place in London, and spotted a Whitcombe listed among ‘Articled Clerks’, a memorial of trainee accountants who fought in WW1.

I’m building this project slowly—between work, family, and everything else life brings—because I believe the Whitcombe name deserves to be remembered, celebrated, and passed on.

My goal isn’t to create something flashy. It’s to build something meaningful. A space where our shared roots can take hold, grow, and reach new branches over time.

If you carry the name Whitcombe, or feel connected to it in any way, you’re always welcome here.

Adrian Whitcombe

---

Donate

You can also support our vision by donating (thank you in advance).

IMPORTANT. Cultures and societies have evolved immensely over the centuries. For better or worse is open for debate, but one thing is clear: the world would be a better place if everyone treated everyone else with respect, understanding and kindness. Idealistic, maybe, but very simple. We can all start immediately by broadening our understand of human rights, equality and cultural diversity. That’s the first step. We then need to stand up to bigotry, sexism and racism by being ‘anti-bigotry’, anti-sexist and ‘anti-racist‘.