Saussaye History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
France
Ireland

Saussaye is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Saussaye family lived in Sassy, "in the arrondissement of Avranches, near Pontorsin; sometimes spelt Sacie, and given as Saussai on the Dives Roll. The 'sire de Sassy' figures among the combatants at Hastings in Wace's Roman de Ron.' 1

Early Origins of the Saussaye family

The surname Saussaye was first found in Devon and Hereford where "Osbernus de Salceid" and "Radulphus de Salceit," were barons as listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. 2 The latter's descendants quickly spread to many parts of the country.

The Pipe Rolls include a listing for Ralph de Saci in Gloucestershire (1155-1158) and Rogo de Saci held the Bishop of Winchester 1189-1190. At about the same time, Robert de Salceio was listed in Buckinghamshire as was William de Salceio in Oxfordshire. Kiddington in Oxfordshire came into their possession soon after the Conquest.

It is supposed that the old church of Kiddington (of which the chancel only is now left) was built by one of them in the reign of Stephen; and they presented to this church, as well as to that of Asterley, in 1221 and 1232. About the year 1200, Sibill de Saucey married Richard de Willescote, or Williamscote, who, dying before or during 1232, left his son Thomas heir.

"They were a family of high rank and distinction, though unnoticed in history, and were seized of very considerable lands and jurisdictions, not only in Oxfordshire, but in Buckinghamshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Herefordshire and Northamptonshire, where I am of opinion that Salcey Forest took its name from them." 1

"In Leicestershire Anketin de Saucey gave his name to Newbold-Saucey, a parcel of the fee of Harcourt ; and Overton-Saucey passed to Simon de Saucey from the Bernevilles. The heir of Robert de Saucey held, in 1240, of the Honour de Ferrers; and Simon, in 1287, was a benefactor of Ouston Abbey ; his son Robert and his grandson Robert confirmed the grant. Their residence was in the neighbourhood of Newbold, at Saucey, or Sauvay Castle, between Laund and Withcote; afterwards the seat of Lord Basset of Weldon. In old deeds the name is sometimes written Salcey." 1

Newbold-Saucy is now a lost village in Leicestershire. We do known that a chapel was built there in the 12th century but the chapel was active in 1361 when it was noted that mass was to be celebrated there four times a week.

Early History of the Saussaye family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Saussaye research. Another 291 words (21 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1214, 1221, 1224, 1296 and 1324 are included under the topic Early Saussaye History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saussaye Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Saussaye are characterized by many spelling variations. 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. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Saussaye include Saucy, Sauser, Saucer, Sassy, Saussaye, Sausse, Sassy, Sassie, de la Sausseys, Saucer, Sauser, Sasser, Saussays, Sauchy, Caucer and many more.

Early Notables of the Saussaye family

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

Saussaye Ranking

In France, the name Saussaye is the 8,888^th most popular surname with an estimated 500 - 1,000 people with that name. 3

Migration of the Saussaye family to Ireland

Some of the Saussaye family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Saussaye family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Saussaye, 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..

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/