Slensbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Slensbay 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 Slensbay family

The surname Slensbay 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 Slensbay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Slensbay 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 Slensbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Slensbay Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Slensbay include Slingsby, Slingsbie and others.

Early Notables of the Slensbay 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 Slensbay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Slensbay family to Ireland

Some of the Slensbay 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 Slensbay family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Slensbay or a variant listed above: Peter Slingsby settled in Virginia in 1655.

The Slensbay 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

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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)