Show ContentsBylesbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Bylesbay family

The surname Bylesbay was first found in Lincolnshire at Bilsby, a parish, in the hundred of Calceworth, Lincolnshire. This village was listed as Billesbi in the Domesday Book 1 and meant "farmstead or village of a man called Bildr from the Old Norse personal name "by" 2 Alternatively the name could have come from Beelsby, a village in North East Lincolnshire. Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Beelsby, held by Godric the King's Steward, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. At that time, Beelsby held 3 mills.

Early History of the Bylesbay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bylesbay research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1097, 1190, 1484, 1510, 1550, 1600 and 1604 are included under the topic Early Bylesbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bylesbay Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Bylesbay include Billesby, Billsby, Beelsby, Belsby, Bilsby, Bilbie, Bilsbie and many more.

Early Notables of the Bylesbay family

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

Migration of the Bylesbay family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Bylesbays to arrive on North American shores: Clemence Byllesby, aged 19, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1919; Henry M. Byllesby, aged 60, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1918; Henry W. Byllesby, aged 55, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1913.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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