Show ContentsEdgellay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Edgellay family

The surname Edgellay was first found in Cheshire at Edgerley, a civil parish and township in the parish of Alford, union of Great Boughton, Lower division of the hundred of Broxton. 1

The first record of the surname was found in the year 1189 when Albert de Edgardle held estates in that shire. Hugh Eggerley was listed at Oxford in 1440. 2

Early History of the Edgellay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Edgellay research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Edgellay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Edgellay Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Edgellay were recorded, including Edgerley, Edgelly, Edgely, Egerley, Egelly, Egely, Edgeley, Hedgely, Hedgerly and many more.

Early Notables of the Edgellay family

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

Migration of the Edgellay family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Edgellay family emigrate to North America: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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