Show ContentsFolkslay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Folkslay family

The surname Folkslay was first found in Northampton, Norfolk and Wiltshire. Foxley is a village and civil parish in Norfolk that dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Foxle, having derived from the Old English words fox + leah and literally meant "woodland clearing frequented by foxes." 1 Foxley was held by the Count or Mortain, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Foxley Wood is a nature reserve that is close by and is the largest ancient woodland and coppice in Norfolk. Foxley is also located in Wiltshire and in this latter case, it was listed as Foxelege in the Domesday Book.

Early History of the Folkslay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Folkslay research. Another 159 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1094, 1138, 1171, 1184, 1187, 1188, 1225, 1306, 1510, 1553 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Folkslay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Folkslay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Folkslay have been found, including Foxley, Foxleigh, Foxly, Focksley, Foksley, Foxlie, Foxlee, Foxlea, Folksley, Foxele, Foxeley and many more.

Early Notables of the Folkslay family

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

Migration of the Folkslay family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Folkslay were among those contributors: Mary Foxley, who settled in Maryland in 1660; William Foxley, an emigrant in bondage who arrived in Maryland in 1736; and John Foxley, who came to Philadelphia in 1817..



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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