Bellsize History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

When the ancestors of the Bellsize family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Durham, where they were established by the early Middle Ages.

Early Origins of the Bellsize family

The surname Bellsize was first found in Durham where they held a family seat. Belasius, a Norman Lord, attended William Duke of Normandy at Hastings in 1066 when King Harold was defeated.

Belasius became General of William's forces against the remnant of the Saxon Army commanded by the Princes Edwin and Morcar in the famous siege of the Isle of Ely. Morton-Grange in Durham was home to a branch of the family.

"This place formerly belonged to the family of Belasyse, to whom Cardinal Wolsey, in 1525, granted a lease of the manor and grange, and of whom was Sir William Belasyse, Knt., of Morton, High Sheriff of the county under the see of Durham from 1628 until his death in 1641." 1

In later years. some of the family held a family seat at Worlaby in Lincolnshire. "This place, which is included in the duchy of Lancaster, was the seat of the Belasis family, one of whom, John, second son of the first Viscount Fauconberg, was lord of the treasury under James II., and was in 1644 created a Baron, of Worlaby, or Worletby; a title that became extinct on the death of his grandson without issue." 1

Early History of the Bellsize family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bellsize research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1577, 1614, 1627, 1648, 1653, 1661, 1673, 1678, 1689, 1691, 1692, 1700, 1701 and 1717 are included under the topic Early Bellsize History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bellsize 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. Bellsize has been recorded under many different variations, including Bellsize, Belsize, Belasyse, Bellasise, Belasize, Bellasize, Belasise, Belasis and many more.

Early Notables of the Bellsize family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Charles Belasyse; Thomas Belasyse, 1st Baron & Viscount Fauconberg, 2nd Baronet (1577-1653), an English politician; John Belasyse, 1st Baron Belasyse PC (1614-1689), an English nobleman, soldier and Member of Parliament, Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire (1661-1673), Governor of Tangier...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bellsize Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Bellsize family

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. Bellsizes were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Ralph Belasis who landed in North America in 1760.

The Bellsize Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Bonne et belle assez
Motto Translation: Good and handsome enough (in allusion to the fleur-de-lis on their shield)

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.