This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the wise,' the learned; v. Wiseman. Of the nine instances of Wise in the Hundred Rolls (vol. ii), eight resided either in Oxfordshire or Cambridgeshire. No doubt all were University men.

Elias le Wyse, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Henry le Wyse, Huntingdonshire, ibid.

William le Wyse, Close Rolls, 4 Edward II.

Thomas le Wys, Pat. Roll, 3 Edward VI. pt.

1668-9. Stephen Dring and Patience Wyse, a. John Wise: Marriage Alleg. (Canterbury).

This surname is derived from a nickname. 'the wise man,' the clever, the learned man; v. Wise. It is curious and interesting to note that the instances of Wise and Wiseman in the Hundred Rolls are nearly all from the two University counties.

Roger Wyseinan, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Alan Wysman, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

John Wysman, Oxfordshire, ibid.

Johannes Wysman, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Petrus Wysman, 1379: ibid.

1656. Married — Thomas Duncombe and Margaret Wiseman: St. Michael, Cornhill.

Perhaps from ME. wys(e, learned, sage. William Wys was a canon of Moray in 1358 (Bain, hi, 17), Thomas Wyse, canon of Caithness, 1381 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 561-562), and Robertas Wys was canon of the church of Aberdeen in 1386, 1391 (REA., I, p. 172,189). Johannes Wyss on inquest in Stravelyn, 1411 (Scon, p. 162), John Wis or Wiys, stonecutter to bishop of Dunkeld, 1511 (Rent. Dunk.), William Wyeis was member of council of Stirling in 1522 (SBR., p. 275), and David Wyse and his wife had a charter of a "saline patella in Kirkcaldrie" in 1603 (RD., p. 497). Wysse in the parish of Laurencekirk in the eighteenth century.

An old surname in Angus and Moray. Andrea Wysman witnessed excambion of the lands of Dolays Mychel in 1232 (REM., p. 88), and in the following year attested a confirmation charter by Andrew, bishop of Moray (Pluscardyn, 203). Thomas Wisman, prepositus of Elgin, was one of an inquest concerning the king's garden there, 1261 (APS., I, p. 99 red; Elgin, II, p. 475), and he and William Wisman were jurors on inquest concerning the lands of Mefth, 1262 (Bain, I, 2323). William Wysman witnessed a charter by the earl of Ross, 1263 (REM., p. 279), designed 'de Fores' in 1266 (ER., I, p. 34), c. 1278 and 1286 attested charters by Hugh Herock, burgess of Elgin (REM., p. 284,461). He may be the William Wysman of Elginshire who rendered homage at Elgin, 1295, and was appointed sheriff of Elgin, 1305 (Bain, II, p. 183,209, 458). Adam dictus Wiseman made a grant of lands to Coldingham Priory, 1285 (Raine, 262), William Wiseman obtained from David II the barony of Don forfeited by David de Strabolgi (Stodart, II, p. 311), and Willelmus Wyseman, senior, and Willelmus Wyseman, junior, were jurors on an inquest held regarding the episcopal lands of Aldrochty, 1393 (REM.,p. 205). Patrick Wyisman was admitted burgess of Aberdeen, 1484 (NSCM., I, p. 31), and Marion Wyseman is recorded in Goslingtown, Stanehaven, 1630 (Lanark CR.). Vyseman 1393, Vysman 1601, Wisman 1667.

(English) 1 = Wise (q.v.) + man.

2 a name for a Wizard or Conjuror.

(English, Scottish) A learned man; one who practiced magic arts; one who played the part of one of the Wise Men of the East in the Candlemas pageant.

A man of judgment and wisdom. So the Latin Prudens, the French Le Sage, &c. Among many Le Wyses in the H.R., we have one Julia la Wyse.

A conjuror. Halliwell. This was once a regular profession. Sir Francis Palgrave observes: "In parliamentary documents, we find ' Nigromauncer' attached to a man's name as an addition of lawful calling, not so frequently, indeed, as ' Smith' or ' Baker', yet evidently without any idea of concealment or absurdity. And the details preserved concerning these respectable practitioners all tend to show, that their vocation was tolerably lucrative and successful, provided the individual who tried the profession possessed the proper qualifications." Merchant and Friar, 2nd Edit. p. 217.

A name given for the quality of wisdom.

Wisman, of Falaise, Normandy, occurs t. William I. (MSAN, xv. 174). Ranulph Wisman witnessed a charter of Beatrix de Say, c. 1140, in favour of Waltham Abbey, Essex (Mon. i. 401). Reginald Wisman, of Essex, 1194 (Rotuli Curiae Regis). Hence the Baronets Wiseman.

The ancient knightly family of Wise of Mount Wise in Stoke Damerel (Devonport) was one of the oldest families in the west of England: one of this family was high sheriff of Devonshire in 1612 (Worthy's "Devonshire Parishes"). The name is now common on the Cornish border in the Launceston district.

The Wisemans of Essex, belonging to the distinguished families of Rivenhall, Northend, Great Baddow, Felstead, etc., played an important part in the county in the 16th and 17th centuries, and frequently served as high sheriffs. Amongst the Essex gentlemen who contributed towards the Armada Fund in 1588 were Ralph Wiseman, a donor of £100; William Wiseman of Brodokes, a donor of £50; and John Wiseman of Stisted, who contributed £25 (Sp.). The name of Wisman occurred in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk in the 13th century. After a lapse of six centuries, the Wisemans have still their home in much the same part of England, namely, in Norfolk and Essex.

The name of Wiseman was represented by Wisman in Norfolk in the 13th century (H. R.). The Wisemans in the 16th and 17th centuries were gentle families, owning considerable property in the county (Bl.).