| ![Show Contents]() Biss History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Soon after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the name Biss was recognized on the island as a name for a person with a dark complexion or person who dressed in dark clothing. The name stems from the Old English root bis, which means dingy or murky. Early Origins of the Biss familyThe surname Biss was first found in Surrey, where they had been granted lands by King William, their liege Lord, after the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Biss familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Biss research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1615, 1630, 1640, 1667, 1680, 1709, 1710, 1711, 1713, 1721 and 1731 are included under the topic Early Biss History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Biss Spelling VariationsNorman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Biss, Bisse and others. Early Notables of the Biss familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was - Philip Bisse (1667-1721), an English Bishop of St David's (1710-1713) and Bishop of Hereford (1713-1721.) He was a native of Oldbury in Gloucestershire. "The bishop published several of his sermons. O...
- His younger brother Thomas Bisse (d. 1731), was also and English divine and Bbishop of Hereford. He later bequeathed the properties to his brother in law, Reverend de Salis
 Migration of the Biss family to Ireland
Some of the Biss family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Biss migration to the United States | + |
Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Biss or a variant listed above:
Biss Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- James and Mary Biss who settled in New England in 1699
Biss Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Nicol Biss, who settled in New England in 1709
- Johan Georg Biss, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1767 1
Biss Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Anthony Biss, aged 30, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1843 1
- Thomas Biss, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1848
| Biss migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Biss Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- A. Biss, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Crusader" in 1882
| Contemporary Notables of the name Biss (post 1700) | + |
- Andrew Biss, American contemporary playwright
- Jonathan Biss (b. 1980), American concert pianist
- Godfrey Charles Biss, Barrister
| Historic Events for the Biss family | + |
- Gordon Alwin Biss (d. 1942), British Leading Supply Assistant aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 2
- Mr. John Biss (b. 1922), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 3
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Ayez prudence
Motto Translation: Have prudence.
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
- Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
- H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
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Biss migration to the United States 
Biss migration to New Zealand 
England
Ireland
