Show ContentsEnslow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Enslow family

The surname Enslow was first found in Devon at Hensley, but we must look far to the north in Yorkshire to find the first listing of the family. For it is there that John de Henselay was listed in the Subsidy Rolls in 1297. 1

Early History of the Enslow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Enslow research. Another 141 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1080, 1163, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1540, 1600, 1616 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Enslow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Enslow Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Enslow are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Enslow include: Hensley, Hensleigh, Henslie, Henslea, Ensley, Ensleigh, Ensly and many more.

Early Notables of the Enslow family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • Philip Henslowe (d. 1616), English theatrical manager, fourth son of Edmund Henslowe of Lindfield, Sussex, who was in 1540 master of the game in Ashdown Forest and Broil Park...


United States Enslow migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Enslow or a variant listed above:

Enslow Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Frank Bliss Enslow, aged 61, who arrived in New York in 1914 aboard the ship "Olympic" from Southampton, England 2
  • Flora Enslow, aged 30, arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Rosalind" from St. John's, Newfoundland via Halifax 2
  • Louis H. Enslow, aged 29, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Panama" from Cristobal C. Z. 2
  • Frank Enslow, aged 21, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Edith" from Bristol 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Enslow (post 1700) +

  • Ridley M. Enslow Jr., American founder of Enslow Publishers, an American publisher of books and eBooks
  • Seth Enslow (b. 1975), American motorcyclist and stunt performer
  • Catherine Bliss Enslow, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from West Virginia, 1940, 1952; Member of West Virginia Democratic State Executive Committee, 1949


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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