Show ContentsLisenbey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the name Lisenbey date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in Lazonby, in Cumberland, or in Lazenby, in Yorkshire. The place-name Lazenby and Lazonby have the same etymology. They are derived from the Old Scandinavian words leysingi, which meant "freed men," and by, which meant farm or enclosure. The place-name as a whole means "farm of the freed men." It is possible that the name is derived from the old Scandinavian personal name Leysingr. The Scandinavians have had a lasting impact on the north of England, thanks to the waves of pillage, invasion and colonization which started in the eighth and 9th centuries and ended in the 10th. There are many place-names in the north of England which have Norse and Scandinavian elements.

Early Origins of the Lisenbey family

The surname Lisenbey was first found in Yorkshire at Lazenby (Lazonby), which dates back to the Domesday Book where it was listed as Lesingebi 1 and was in "the land of the King in Yorkshire." Lazonby is a parish, in the union of Penrith in Cumberland on the west bank of the river Eden. A Roman road passes from north to south, and another intersects the parish in a direction towards Salkeld Gate. At Castle Rigg are the ruins of a moated building. There are also several cairns in the area. 2

Early History of the Lisenbey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lisenbey research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1632 and 1701 are included under the topic Early Lisenbey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lisenbey Spelling Variations

Lisenbey 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. Many variations of the name Lisenbey have been found, including Lazenby, Lazinby, Lasynbi, Laysynby, Lasinby and many more.

Early Notables of the Lisenbey family

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

Migration of the Lisenbey 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 Lisenbeys to arrive on North American shores: Thomas Lazenby, who arrived in Virginia in 1672; William Lazinby who arrived in Maryland in 1744; William Lazenby, a bonded passenger who came to America in 1772.



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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