Weldrick Family History

Wheldrake (ER Yorks) is recorded as Coldric and Queldrik in the 12th century and Weldrik in the 13th century.

The place-name ends in Old English *ric ‘straight strip of raised ground’ with reference to the glacial moraine on which Wheldrake and neighbouring Escrick (‘ash-tree strip’) stand.

The meaning of the first element is uncertain though it is usually explained as Old English cweld ‘death destruction’ (referring to a fatal incident there?).