Deisnay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Deisnay is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Deisnay family lived in Lincolnshire. This family was originally from Isigny, in Calvados, Normandy, and it is from the local form of this place-name, D'Isigny, literally translating as from Isigny, that their surname derives. 1

Early Origins of the Deisnay family

The surname Deisnay was first found in Lincolnshire where they "settled for many years at Norton D'Isney" 2

Now named Norton Disney, the small village and civil parish is on the western boundary of the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. The first reference of the place name was found in 1331 as Norton Isny and was held by the de Isney family since the 12th century. 3

Leland, in his Itinerary, p. 29, in enumerating the gentry of the Kesteven division of Lincolnshire, mentions "Disney, alias de Iseney; he dwelleth at Diseney, and of his name and line be gentlemen of Fraunce. Ailesham Priory by Thorney Courtoise was of the Diseney's foundation, and there divers of them buryed and likewise at Diseney." Lambert de Isney, of Norton D'Isney, co. Lincoln, is the first of the name mentioned in the public records. His descendants, of nightly degree, were seated for a long series of generations in Lincolnshire, representing the county in parliament, and allying with its best families. The present male representation vests in the family of Disney of the Hyde in Essex. 4

Early History of the Deisnay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Deisnay research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1641, 1677 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Deisnay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Deisnay Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Disney, Deisney, D'Isney and others.

Early Notables of the Deisnay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William D'Isney, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; and Sir Henry Disney of Norton Disney (died 1641) progenitor of the present family. 2 John Disney (1677-1730), was an English divine...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Deisnay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Deisnay family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Deisnay or a variant listed above: William Disney who settled in Maryland in 1740.

The Deisnay Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Vincit qui patitur
Motto Translation: He conquers who endures.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.