The Worthingtons are a historic English family from Lancashire, traceable to the beginning of the 13th century. The progenitor of the line was Worthington de Worthington (born 1236), and the family were Lords of the Manor of Worthington, Standish, Lancashire from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The family seat was Worthington Hall, Standish, County Lancashire; partially demolished in the mid-20th century, the remaining Tudor doorway dated 1577 Edward de Worthington.[1]
Dating from the 15th century, the Worthington coat of arms is argent, three dung forks sable.[8] The arms can be considered a rebus, “worthing” being an archaic slang term for dung. The crest is a goat statant argent, holding in the mouth an oak branch vert, fructed or; the motto, "Virtute Dignus Avorum" (in virtue worthy of ones ancestors).[9] The motto and coat of arms may be seen in Chorley Church, Winslow Parish, Cheshire, England.[10][11]
