The Ilsbay 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 Ilsbay family
The surname Ilsbay 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 Ilsbay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ilsbay research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ilsbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Ilsbay Spelling Variations
One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Ilsbay has appeared include Illsley, Illsbey, Ilsley and others.
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Early Notables of the Ilsbay family
More information is included under the topic Early Ilsbay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Ilsbay family
At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Ilsbay arrived in North America very early: 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
