Consayl History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Consayl is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a person who was a councillor, one who provided ‘consultation, deliberation' derived from the French words "counsell, consell, cunsell," of the same meaning. 1 2

One source claims the name was a local name "compounded of Anglo-Saxon sœl, sel, a hall or dwelling (Old. Norse sel, a summer shed for cattle)," 3 but most of the sources claim the occupational origin of name.

Early Origins of the Consayl family

The surname Consayl was first found in Berkshire, where William Cunseil was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1208. In the same year and the same county, the surname Consell (with no forename) was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls. A few years later, John Counsell was listed in Dorset in 1310. 1

Pointing to the wide spellings in use in ancient times, we found William Counsayl and Roger Consayl listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edwards' reign) 4

Early History of the Consayl family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Consayl research. Another 56 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1208, 1310, 1327, 1609 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Consayl History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Consayl Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Consayl has appeared include Counsell, Councell, Cunseil, Counseil, Counsayl, Consayl and many more.

Early Notables of the Consayl family

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

Migration of the Consayl family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Consayl arrived in North America very early: Edward Councell who arrived in Barbados in 1685 and Joseph Council, on reocord in Philadelphia in 1845.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.