Show ContentsIlles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Illes family

The surname Illes was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that county.

Early History of the Illes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Illes research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1177, 1275, 1306, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1552 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Illes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Illes Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Illes were recorded, including Illey, Ylley, Illie, Illes, Illiegh, Illeigh, Ilys, Ilyes, Iley, Ilney, Ile, Isle, Ilsley and many more.

Early Notables of the Illes family

More information is included under the topic Early Illes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Illes migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Illes family emigrate to North America:

Illes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • John Illes, who arrived in Virginia in 1664 1
Illes Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Roypert Illes, who landed in New York in 1709 1


  1. 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)


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