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![Show Contents]() Resleigh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Resleigh is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in the region of Risley in Bedfordshire. Resleigh is a topographic surname, which was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. In this case, these place names are all derived from the Old English words hri-s, meaning "brush wood," and leah, which meant "a clearing." Early Origins of the Resleigh familyThe surname Resleigh was first found in Bedfordshire, at Riseley, a village and civil parish that dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it was listed as Riselai. 1 and mentioned at least 6 times, all in the same shire. At that time it was part of the Stodden hundred, land held by the Bishop of Coutances and 2 Frenchmen and 6 Englishmen held 6 hides for the bishop. 2 Risley Hall at Risley, Derbyshire dates back to the 11th century and is now a hotel and spa set in 17 acres. One of the first listings of the name was Sir Raulfe Risley of Chetwood (fl. 1247.) Early History of the Resleigh familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Resleigh research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1630, 1649, 1650, 1670, 1716 and 1952 are included under the topic Early Resleigh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Resleigh Spelling VariationsThe first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Resleigh has been spelled many different ways, including Riseley, Risley, Reasley, Reeasly and others. Early Notables of the Resleigh familyDistinguished members of the family include Reverend Thomas Risley (1630-1716), an English Presbyterian minister who founded the Thomas Risley Chapel. Born at Newton-in-Makerfield, and baptised on 20 Sept. at Newchurch...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Resleigh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Resleigh familyThousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Resleighs to arrive in North America: C. Risley who settled in Barbados with his servants in 1680; William Risley landed in America in 1760; Tim Risley settled in San Francisco Cal. in 1852.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Fato prudentia major
Motto Translation: Prudence is greater than fate.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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