Kingsburay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxon name Kingsburay comes from the family having resided in one of the various parishes called KingsBerry (Kingbury), which had locations in the counties of Middlesex, Warwickshire, and Somerset. Literally the surname means "the King's Castle [Old English Cynges-burh, burh, a stronghold, &c.]" 1 Other sources claim the name literally means "the King's Manor" or "the King's Fort." 2 3

As noted, the place names were Anglo Saxon in origin and as such, predates the Norman Conquest. The Middlesex (London) parish dates back to 1044, when it was known as Kynges Byrig, but a few years later was listed as Chingesberie in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Somerset has the same spelling in the Domesday Book, but was listed as Cyncgesbyrig in 1065. 4 As one would presume, the Somerset spelling in 1065 likely influenced the spelling for the Middlesex parish in the Domesday Book.

Early Origins of the Kingsburay family

The surname Kingsburay was first found in Hertfordshire where John de Kingesberi was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1211. A few years later, William de Kynnesbir was listed in the Assize Rolls of Warwickshire in 1221. 5 And in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, Adam de Kinggesbire was listed as holding lands at that time in Lincolnshire. 6

"Kingsbury Hall [Warwickshire], now a farmhouse, is of great antiquity, and appears to have been originally of very considerable extent, and to have been defended by fortifications, of which some vestiges may still be traced. " 7

Early History of the Kingsburay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kingsburay research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1380, 1390, 1603, 1662 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Kingsburay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kingsburay Spelling Variations

Kingsburay has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: KingsBerry, Kingsbury and others.

Early Notables of the Kingsburay family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kingsburay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kingsburay family to Ireland

Some of the Kingsburay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kingsburay family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Kingsburays to arrive on North American shores: Henry KingsBerry settled in Virginia in 1729; Henry Kingsbury settled in Boston in 1630 with his wife Margaret and son Henry, he later moved to Salem.

The Kingsburay 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: Prudens et innoccuus
Motto Translation: Wise and innoccuus

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.