| ![Show Contents]() Belbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England Early Origins of the Belbay familyThe surname Belbay was first found in Yorkshire at Bielby or in Lincolnshire at Beelby. Belebi was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 1 and literally meant "farmstead or village of a man called Beli," from the Viking personal name + "by." 2 Lincolnshire was the first record of the family; that of Walter de Beleby who was recorded in the Assize Rolls of 1202. Later, John de Beleby was recorded in the Feet of Fines for Yorkshire in 1372 and much later, Sicillia Beilby was registered as a Freeman of York in 1464. 3 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had entries for Robertus de Bilby; and Willelmus de Bilby who held lands there at that time. 4 Early History of the Belbay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Belbay research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1544, 1600, 1635 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Belbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Belbay Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Belbay include Beilby, Beelby, Beilbie, Bealbie, Beelbie, Beelbe, Belby and many more. Early Notables of the Belbay familyMore information is included under the topic Early Belbay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Belbay familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Belbay were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Adele Catherine Belby, aged 5, who arrived at Ellis Island from Nassau, Bahamas, in 1919; and Joe Belby, aged 38, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1918..
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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