Charlay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Charlay is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Charlay family lived in Worcestershire. The Charlay family was originally from Charlett, Normandy, and it is from this place that their surname derives. Charlett comes from a baptismal name which means Charles, which stems from the Old French name, Charlys. As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are hardly any Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Charlay family

The surname Charlay was first found in Leicestershire at Charley or Chorley, an extra-parochial liberty, in the union of Loughborough, hundred of West Goscote. "The ancient forest of Charley, or Charnwood, twenty miles in circuit, was disafforested soon after the Conquest; its privileges were restored by Henry II., but finally abolished by Henry III. The Hall is a plain brick building, with pleasant grounds. A society of eremites, of the order of St. Augustine, settled here in the reign of Henry II., by the favour of Robert Blanchmains, Earl of Leicester; but in the time of Edward II. it was united to one at Ulverscroft, where a priory of Regular canons, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, continued until the Dissolution." 1

Charley is also a hamlet in the parish of Farewell, union of Lichfield, S. division of the hundred of Offlow in Staffordshire.

Early History of the Charlay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Charlay research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1655, 1697, 1706, 1716, 1717 and 1722 are included under the topic Early Charlay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Charlay Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Charley, Charly, Charlet, Charlett, Charlette and others.

Early Notables of the Charlay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Arthur Charlett (1655-1722), Master of University College, Oxford, son of Arthur Charlett, Rector of Collingbourn Ducis, Wiltshire. Charlett was appointed chaplain to the king on 17 Nov. 1697, and held that office until he, in common with certain other of the royal chaplains, was removed in March 1716-1717. In the spring of 1706...
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Charlay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Charlay family to Ireland

Some of the Charlay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Charlay family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Charlay or a variant listed above: Joseph Charley who settled in Pennsylvania in 1683.