Bysshe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Early Origins of the Bysshe family

Early History of the Bysshe family

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

Bysshe Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Bysshe were recorded, including Bysh, Bish, Bishe, Byshe, Bisshe, Bysshe and others.

Early Notables of the Bysshe 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 Burst...
• Edward Bysshe (fl. 1712), was a miscellaneous writer, "describes himself as 'gent.' on the title-pages of his books. He probably belonged to the Surrey family of the name." 1

Migration of the Bysshe family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Bysshe arrived in North America very early: John Bish who landed in Pennsylvania in 1682; Leonard, Sebastian and Theobald Bish landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1170 and 1851; James Bishe settled in Jamaica in 1685.