Show ContentsQuixley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Quixley family

The surname Quixley was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held a family seat in that shire at Wixley near Ripon.

Early History of the Quixley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Quixley research. Another 124 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1433, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Quixley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Quixley Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Quixley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Quixley include: Quixley, Qwuickly, Quixlie and others.

Early Notables of the Quixley family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • the Quixley family of Yorkshire

Migration of the Quixley family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Quixley or a variant listed above: John Quixsley, who came to South Carolina sometime between 1670 and 1696.


Contemporary Notables of the name Quixley (post 1700) +

  • Jim Quixley (d. 1991), Canadian Writer and the head librarian at Glendon College, York University, Toronto


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