Show ContentsSellingsby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Sellingsby originated in Slingsby, in the North Riding of Yorkshire. This parish dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was known as Selungesbi, having derived its name from "farmstead or village of a man called Slengr, an Old Norse personal name + "by." 1 2

Early Origins of the Sellingsby family

The surname Sellingsby was first found in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Slingsby, a parish, six miles from New Malton. 3 4 5

It was here that Roger de Slingesby was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls for 1219. Later, Higdon de Slyngesby was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 6 Other entries in the Yorkshire Poll Tax include: Henricus de Slyngesby; Ricardus de Slyngesby; and Willelmus de Slenggesby. 3

At about this time in Scotland, we found "Ade de Slyngysby in Edinburgh, 1367, most probably derived his surname from Slingsby in Yorkshire. John Slingisbie forfeited some land in Edinburgh in the reign of David II." 7 The Scottish entries should come as no surprise due to North Yorkshire's close proximity to the Scottish borders.

Early History of the Sellingsby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sellingsby research. Another 126 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1563, 1565, 1577, 1602, 1610, 1621, 1628, 1631, 1634, 1636, 1643, 1658, 1660, 1662, 1680, 1690, 1691, 1693, 1763 and 1787 are included under the topic Early Sellingsby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sellingsby Spelling Variations

The 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. Sellingsby has been spelled many different ways, including Slingsby, Slingsbie and others.

Early Notables of the Sellingsby family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir Guylford Slingsby (1565-1631) English administrator, Comptroller of the Navy (1628 to 1631); Sir William Slingsby (1563-1634), was an English soldier who discovered the first spa water well in Harrogate, North Yorkshire; Sir Guylford Slingsby (1565-1631) English administrator, Comptroller of the Navy (1628 to 1631)...
Another 52 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sellingsby Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Sellingsby family to Ireland

Some of the Sellingsby family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 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 Sellingsby family

Thousands 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 Sellingsbys to arrive in North America: Peter Slingsby settled in Virginia in 1655.



The Sellingsby Motto +

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: Vincit liberavit
Motto Translation: Liberty will conquer


  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  6. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  7. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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