The Illslay surname is a habitational name taken on from the villages of East and West Ilsley on the Berkshire Downs. These place names are derived from the Old English words "hild," meaning "strife," or "battle," and " le-ah," which is a clearing in the woods.
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Early Origins of the Illslay family
The surname Illslay was first found in Berkshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
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Early History of the Illslay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Illslay research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Illslay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Illslay Spelling Variations
Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Illslay has undergone many spelling variations, including Illsley, Illsbey, Ilsley and others.
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Early Notables of the Illslay family
More information is included under the topic Early Illslay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Illslay family
To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. 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 Illslay were among those contributors: John Ilsley, who came to New England in 1630 with his wife Barbara, and brother William; and Randall Illsley, who arrived in New York State in 1775.
England
