Leylay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The rich and ancient history of the Leylay family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the popular female personal name Elizabeth. The name Leylay is a metronymic surname, which is derived from the name of the mother. Occasionally, the surname is derived from residence in the settlement of Lilley in Hertfordshire or in the place called Lilly in Berkshire. In this case, the name Leylay belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Leylay family

The surname Leylay was first found in Worcestershire 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.

Early History of the Leylay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Leylay research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1553, 1560, 1578, 1580, 1602, 1606, 1618, 1652, 1680, 1681 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Leylay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Leylay 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 Leylay have been found, including Lillie, Lilie, Lilley, Lilly and others.

Early Notables of the Leylay family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), born Pieter van der Faes, a Dutch painter whose career was nearly all spent in England, where he became the dominant portrait painter to the court; John Lyly (Lilly or Lylie; c.1553-1606), an English writer, poet, dramatist, playwright, and politician, best known for his books "Euphues, The...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Leylay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Leylay family to Ireland

Some of the Leylay family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 70 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Leylay 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. Among the first immigrants of the name Leylay, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : John Lilie who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1738; Richard Lilley settled in Virginia in 1656; James Lilley settled in Virginia in 1774; Henry Lilley settled in Virginia in 1642.