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![Show Contents]() Billaney Surname History
- Origins Available:
 England
The name Billaney is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in the parish of Bilney in Norfolk. The name literally means the dweller by the stream. Early Origins of the Billaney familyThe surname Billaney was first found in Norfolk at East Bilney, a parish, in the union of Mitford and Launditch, hundred of Launditch. The place name literally means "island near a ridge," or "island of a man called Bil(l)a," from the Old English word "bile," or the Old English personal name. 1 West Bilney dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Bilenei 2 and East Bilney dates back to 1254 when it was first listed a Billney. "Thomas Bilney (c. 1495-1531), a learned divine, who was burnt at Norwich, in the year 1531, for preaching against popery, is said to have been born here." 3 "He was a member of a Norfolk family which took its name from the villages of the same designation in that county. Local historians assert that he was born either at East Bilney or Norwich; but these statements seem to rest on probability rather than definite evidence. " 4 Early History of the Billaney familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Billaney research. Another 267 words (19 lines of text) covering the years 1199, 1202, 1216, 1273, 1288, 1327, 1495, 1500, 1531 and 1627 are included under the topic Early Billaney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Billaney Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Billaney has been spelled many different ways, including Bilney, Bilnie, Bylyne, Bilneye, Bilnye, Bilnay and others. Early Notables of the Billaney familyAnother 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Billaney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Billaney familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Billaneys to arrive in North America: a number of settlers who arrived in the New World by the 19th century.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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