Show ContentsNatley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Natley family

The surname Natley was first found in Hampshire (now Southampton) where conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Nately, Ansketel from Hugh de Port, a Norman Baron who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. 1

One of the first records of the family was Vincent de Nateleye who was listed there in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1275. A few years later, Richard de Natele was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 2

Early History of the Natley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Natley research. Another 51 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1275 and 1296 are included under the topic Early Natley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Natley Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Nately, Nathaley, Natheley, Nathiley, Natly and many more.

Early Notables of the Natley family

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

Migration of the Natley family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Natley or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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