Salis Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Salis is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Salis family lived in Wiltshire, at Salisbury, from where their name is derived.

Early Origins of the Salis family

The surname Salis was first found in Wiltshire at Salisbury, a cathedral city that dates back to c. 900 when it was listed as Searobyrg. Over one hundred years later, the Domesday Book lists the place name as Sarisberie, much closer phonetically to today's name. The place name literally means "stronghold at Sorvio, " from the Old English words burgh + the Celtic name Sorviodunum. 1

Salisbury Cathedral is one of the most famous cathedrals in Britain; its spire can be seen for miles. Moreover, it is now home to pages from the Magna Carta which is on public display.

"Edward de Sarisberie, sometimes called Edward Vicecomes was a great tenant in chief in Wiltshire and other counties, at the making of the Domesday [Book]. He was a younger son of Walter de Evreux (Devereux) one of the few instances in those early times of a Norman family with a Saxon name. " 2

Early History of the Salis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Salis research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1500, 1561, 1573, 1575, 1580, 1593, 1612, 1621, 1622, 1625, 1626, 1637, 1640, 1643, 1660, 1661, 1684 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Salis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Salis Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Salis has been recorded under many different variations, including Salisbury, Salesbury, Sallsbury, Salusbury and many more.

Early Notables of the Salis family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Henry Salisbury or Salebury 1561-1637?), Welsh grammarian, born in 1561 at Dolbelidr (now known as Ffynonfair) in the parish of Henllan, Denbighshire probably the youngest son of Foulke, third son of...
John Salisbury (1500?-1573), Welsh Bishop of Sodor and Man, member of the ancient family settled at Llewenny in Denbighshire, whose name was frequently spelt Salesbury or Salusbury
John Salisbury (1575-1625), Jesuit and Welsh scholar, described as a native of Merionethshire, presumably a member of the Rug branch of the Salisbury or Salesbury family

Salis Ranking

In France, the name Salis is the 5,984^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Salis family to Ireland

Some of the Salis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Salis migration to the United States +

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Saliss were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America:

Salis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charl Salis, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 4
Julia Salis, who arrived in North America in 1832-1849 4
Julie Salis, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 4
Ulysses Salis, who landed in North America in 1832-1849 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Salis (post 1700) +

Charles Fane de Salis, English Bishop of Taunton from 1911 to 1930
Henry Jerome de Salis (1740-1810), English Divine, Rector of St. Antholin, and Vicar of Wing
Felice Salis (1938-2021), Italian field hockey player who competed in the men's tournament at the 1960 Summer Olympics

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
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)