Bisshe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Bisshe is rooted in the ancient Norman culture that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was a name for someone who was a a person who habitually dresses in drab or murky colors. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old English word bis, meaning dingy or murky.

Early Origins of the Bisshe family

The surname Bisshe was first found in Hertfordshire where they held a family seat from early times, soon after the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William in 1066 A.D. They were descended from Aluric Bysch, a Norman noble, who attended William at the Battle of Hastings.

Early History of the Bisshe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bisshe research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1615, 1679, 1712 and 1833 are included under the topic Early Bisshe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bisshe Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Bysh, Bish, Bishe, Byshe, Bisshe, Bysshe and others.

Early Notables of the Bisshe family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Stapleton Bish, founder of Exeter College in Oxford; and Sir Edward Bysshe FRS (c. 1615-1679), an English barrister, politician and Garter King of Arms. He was the eldest son of Edward Bysshe of Burstow, Surrey, a barrister of Lincoln's Inn. His ancestors were lords...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bisshe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bisshe migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Bisshe or a variant listed above:

Bisshe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Bisshe, who landed in America in 1691