Show ContentsClesebay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

When the ancestors of the Clesebay family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Cleasby, a parish in the union of Darlington, wapentake of Gilling-East. 1 2

Early Origins of the Clesebay family

The surname Clesebay was first found in Yorkshire where the village of Cleasby (sometimes Clesby) in the North Riding of Yorkshire was held by Enisan, a Norman noble, who is the conjectural ancestor of the Cleasby surname. 3 4

The first reference for the family was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 as Johannes de Clesbe. 5

Early History of the Clesebay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clesebay research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1202, 1273, 1300, 1379, 1416, 1587 and 1784 are included under the topic Early Clesebay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clesebay 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. Clesebay has been recorded under many different variations, including Clesby, Cleasby, Clisby, Clisbee, Clesbie, Clesebi, Cleseby, Clesby, Clesbe and many more.

Early Notables of the Clesebay family

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

Migration of the Clesebay 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. Clesebays were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: William Clisby who arrived in America in 1768.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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