Disley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Disley family name to the British Isles. They 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 Disley family

The surname Disley 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 Disley family

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

Disley Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Disney, Deisney, D'Isney and others.

Early Notables of the Disley 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. 2John Disney (1677-1730), was an English divine...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Disley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Disley migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Disley or a variant listed above:

Disley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Charles Disley, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States from Bolton, England, in 1904
Annie Disley, aged 31, who immigrated to the United States from London, England, in 1908
Benjamin Disley, aged 32, who settled in America from London, England, in 1908
Cicely Disley, aged 33, who landed in America from Walkden, England, in 1913
Henry Disley, aged 48, who immigrated to America from Liverpool, England, in 1919
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Disley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Disley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Disley, British convict who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Cornwall" on 28th February 1851, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Disley (post 1700) +

Craig Edward Disley (b. 1981), English footballer
Dr. Darrin Matthew Disley O.B.E., British Chief Executive Officer for Horizon Discovery Group, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to Business, to Enterprise and to Health 6
John Ivor Disley CBE (1928-2016), Welsh bronze medalist in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 1952 Summer Olympics, BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year in 1955
Diz Disley (1931-2010), Canadian jazz guitarist and graphic designer

Historic Events for the Disley family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John Disley, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 7

The Disley 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.
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/cornwall
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html