Show ContentsAynsley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Aynsley family

The surname Aynsley was first found in Nottinghamshire at Annesley, a parish, in the union of Basford, N. division of the wapentake of Broxtow. 1 "But there is probably a north English local origin also. There is also Ansley, a parish in Warwickshire. " 2

Robert de Insula (d. 1283), bishop of Durham, born at Holy Island, apparently of humble parentage may be related to the family, but it is difficult to confirm as "the Lanercost chronicler calls him Robertus de Coquina." 3

But we must look to the aforementioned Nottinghamshire to find one of the first records of the family. For it is there in 1273, the Hundredorum Rolls listed Johannes de Anneslegh. In Yorkshire, Johannes de Andeslay was listed there in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rills of 1379 and the Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III. includes an entry for John de Annesley, Yorkshire, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of Edward I's reign). 2

However, much further to the north in Scotland, William de Hanesley witnessed a charter by Walter, Bishop of Glasgow, between 1208 and 1218. "He is probably William de Anslee, Canon of Glasgow c. 1220. In 1221 Magister Thomas de Aneslei was one of a number appointed to settle a dispute between the monks of Kelso and the bishop of Glasgow, and Sir Aymer de Aynesley was one of the knights appointed to settle the law of the marches in 1249. Two individuals of this name rendered homage in 1296 [to King Edward I of England]: John le fiz Johan de Anesleye of Roxburghshire, and Johan de Anesleye of Crucfut of Lanarkshire. Adam de Aynesleye was juror on an inquisition held at Roxburgh in 1357, and John of Aynesley witnessed a grant of the forest of Eteryk to John Kerre in 1358. In 1377 Robert II granted to William de Aynysley a charter of the lands of Dolfynston in the sheriffdom of Roxburgh forfeited by John de Aynysley his father." 4

Early History of the Aynsley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aynsley research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1246, 1296, 1493, 1500, 1521, 1766, 1836 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Aynsley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aynsley Spelling Variations

The name, Aynsley, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Ainslie, Ainsley, Ansley, Anslie, Aynslie, Aynsley, Aynsly, Aynsle, Ainley, Endlsley and many more.

Early Notables of the Aynsley family

Notable amongst the family name during their early history was William de Aynysley, who was granted a charter of the lands of Dolfynston in the sheriffdom of Roxburgh forfeited by John de Aynysley his father. The lands of Dolphingstoun passed, c. 1500, to the Kers of Cessfurd through marriage of Mark Ker with Marjorie Ainslie, daughter and heiress of John...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aynsley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Aynsley migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Aynsley surname who came to North America were:

Aynsley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • John Aynsley, aged 48, who landed in America from Calcutta, India, in 1904
  • Kenneth Aynsley, aged 17, who landed in America from Lougton, England, in 1911
  • John Aynsley, aged 28, who settled in America from Longton, England, in 1912
  • Ethel Scott Aynsley, aged 31, who landed in America from Newcastle on Tyne, England, in 1913
  • Ruth Laws Aynsley, aged 28, who immigrated to the United States from Newcastle on Tyne, England, in 1913
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Aynsley migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Aynsley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Admiral Aynsley, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Aorangi" en route to Lyttelton, New Zealand on 23rd July 1892 5
  • Mrs. Aynsley, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship "Aorangi" en route to Lyttelton, New Zealand on 23rd July 1892 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Aynsley (post 1700) +

  • John Aynsley (1823-1907), English potter, grandson of John Aynsley, established Portland Works in Longton in 1861
  • John Aynsley (1752-1829), English potter, founder of Aynsley China Ltd., a British manufacturer of bone China tableware, giftware and commemorative items in 1775
  • Bob Aynsley (1921-2012), New Zealand rugby league player who played five test matches for the New Zealand national rugby league team
  • Cecil "The Red Flyer" Aynsley (1902-1975), Australian rugby league footballer of the 1920s and 30s
  • Aynsley Thomas Dunbar (b. 1946), English drummer who has worked with Nils Lofgren, Eric Burdon, John Mayall, Frank Zappa, Ian Hunter, Lou Reed, Jefferson Starship, Jeff Beck, David Bowie and many more


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  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)
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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