Show ContentsAtterslay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Atterslay family

The surname Atterslay was first found in North Yorkshire at Chapel Haddlesey, a village and civil parish about five miles from Selby. West Haddlesey and East Haddlesey are townships nearby. The villages dates back to c. 1030 when they were known Hathel-sae and probably derived their name from the Old English words "hathal" + "sae," collectively meaning "marshy pool in a hollow." 1 Some of the earliest record of the name appear in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 where Wilhelmus de Hathelsay, Johannes Hathelsay and Juliana Hathelsay were all listed at Selby. 2

Early History of the Atterslay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Atterslay research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Atterslay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Atterslay 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 Atterslay were recorded, including Haddersley, Haddisley, Haddlesey, Hathersley, Hattersley, Hathersleigh, Haddersleigh, Haddelsey, Hathelsey, Hattelsey, Addersley, Attersleigh, Hadsley, Adsley, Attersley, Hadilsey, Hadelsey, Addilsey and many more.

Early Notables of the Atterslay family

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

Migration of the Atterslay family

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 Atterslay family emigrate to North America: John Attersley, who came to America in 1682; William Hattersley, who came to Maryland in 1763; Josiah Hattersley, who arrived in Maryland in 1775; Levi Hattersley, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1818.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook