Wiat in my family tree
English: from the medieval given name Wiot, Wyot, Gyot, which derives from the Old English personal name Wīgheard, composed of the elements wīg war + heard hardy, brave, strong. Under Norman influence it was also adopted as a diminutive of both Guy and William.
Variants: Wiat, Whyatt, Whyard, Wyard; Guyat, Guyatt, Gyatt.
Cognates: French: Guyard, Guiard, Guihard, Guyart.
Diminutive: French: Guyardeau.
An English family called Wyatt were closely linked with the Boleyn family and through them with Henry VIII. Sir Henry Wyatt was joint Constable of Norwich Castle with Thomas Boleyn, whose daughter Anne was raised with Sir Henry's son, Sir Thomas Wyatt (?1503-42). The latter's great-grandson, Sir Francis Wyatt (?1588-1644) became governor of Virginia. His wife's family had great influence with the London Virginia Company, and Wyatt was named the Company's governor in 1621 and became the first Royal Governor in 1624.
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