Show ContentsElleshope History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestry of the name Elleshope dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in Alsop-le-Dale, a chapelry in the parish of Ashbourne, in the county of Derbyshire. "Alsop is the Elleshope of the Domesday Survey. The manor was given by the crown to William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, from whom it passed in succession to various families. " 1

"This ancient race were seated at Alsop-in-the-Dale, (Alsop-Le-Dale) in Derbyshire, about the time of the Conquest, and there continued in an uninterrupted descent for 19 or 20 generations." 2

Early Origins of the Elleshope family

The surname Elleshope was first found in Derbyshire in the midland of England where the Pipe Rolls of 1175 include and entry for Gamel de Haleshoppe. Later, Philip Alsope was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Cheshire. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls also included: William Alsape, Cambridgeshire; and Elena Alsope, Cambridgeshire. 4

"The ancient and distinguished family of Alsop were seated at Alsop-in-the-Dale, in the parish of Ashbourn, at the time of the Norman Conquest, and there they continued for 19 or 20 generations. Of this family there are numerous branches, of which the Allsopps of Burton form one. There was a Richard de Alsop of Shropshire in the 13th century. The name is also found in the surrounding counties, but Derbyshire is its great home." 5

Moving forward a few centuries, we did find these interesting entries in Hotten's Lists of Emigrants, (pp. 58, 78, 12): Joseph Alsopp (aged 14) went out to New England in the Elizabeth in 1635. Also Thomas Alsopp (aged 20). Also Robert Alsopp aged 18. 4

In Scotland, "this surname occurs in the Aberdeen Directory, and is most probably of recent introduction from England. From Alsop in the county of Derby." 6

Early History of the Elleshope family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Elleshope research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1580, 1601, 1603, 1616, 1626, 1630, 1637, 1641, 1656, 1696, 1703, 1706, 1726 and 1752 are included under the topic Early Elleshope History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Elleshope Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Elleshope have been found, including Allsopp, Allsop, Alsopp, Alsop, Elleshope and others.

Early Notables of the Elleshope family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Vincent Alsop (ca. 1630-1703), an English Nonconformist clergyman. Anthony Alsop (d. 1726), was an English poetical writer, educated at Westminster and Christ Church...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Elleshope Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Elleshope family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Elleshope, or a variant listed above: Joseph Alsop who settled in New Haven in 1635; in 1647 he married Elizabeth Preston; John Alsop settled in Pennsylvania in 1682; Richard Alsopp arrived in Barbados in 1680.



The Elleshope 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: Festina lente
Motto Translation: Be quick without impetuosity.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  6. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook