The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Methley family, who lived in Methley, Yorkshire. Methley is situated midway between Leeds and Pontefract and the town dates back to Anglo-Saxon times.The village of Methley contains a fine church dating from the 14th century with family tombs and medieval carvings which inspired the sculptures of Henry Moore.
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Early Origins of the Methley family
The surname Methley was first found in Yorkshire from very ancient times. At the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 the village of Methley, midway between Leeds and Pontefract, was held by Ilbert de Lacy, a Norman noble who accompanied King William in his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066. The village of Methley contains a fine church dating from the 14th century with family tombs and medieval carvings which inspired the sculptures of Henry Moore.
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Early History of the Methley family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Methley research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1379 and 1614 are included under the topic Early Methley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Methley Spelling Variations
Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Methley were recorded, including Methley, Methly, Mettley, Meythly, Methelay, Methlay and many more.
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Early Notables of the Methley family
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was
Bartholomew Methley of Eastley
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Migration of the Methley family
The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Methley arrived in North America very early: Charles Methelay arrived in New York in 1891.
Contemporary Notables of the name Methley (post 1700)
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Abi Methley, English PhD Student & Trainee Clinical Psychologist at The University of Manchester
England
