Show ContentsIsles History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Isles is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived on an island. The surname Isles is derived from the Old French word isle, which means island and has become the modern French word île. The surname Isles belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. However, the name Isles may also be a patronymic surname derived from the Anglo-Saxon personal names Æl or Æthel.

Early Origins of the Isles family

The surname Isles was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Isles family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Isles research. Another 220 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1320, 1338, 1679, 1683, 1688, 1703, 1713, 1715, 1716, 1721, 1727, 1734, 1735 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Isles History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Isles Spelling Variations

The 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. Isles has been spelled many different ways, including Eyles, Eeles, Eels, Eylers and others.

Early Notables of the Isles family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir John Eyles, Lord Mayor of London; John Eyles (died 1703), of Great St. Helens, London and Southbroom, near Devizes, Wiltshire, an English politician, Member of the Parliament for Devizes in 1679; Sir Francis Eyles, 1st Baronet (died 1716), Governor of the Bank of England; and his son, Sir John Eyles, 2nd Baronet (1683-1745) of Gidea Hall, Essex, a British financier. He served as a director of the Bank of...
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Isles Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Canada Isles migration to Canada +

Thousands 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 Isless to arrive in North America:

Isles Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • George Isles, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Joseph Isles, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Mary Isles, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750

Australia Isles migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Isles Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. George Isles, English convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for life, transported aboard the "Eden" on 27th August 1836, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Isles (post 1700) +

  • Kennedy Sylvester Isles (1991-2020), Saint Kitts and Nevis footballer who played as a midfielder


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden


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