Show ContentsSynserff History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Synserff family

The surname Synserff was first found in Berwick where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Sydserf of France who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Synserff family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Synserff research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1446, 1577, 1581, 1633, 1634 and 1663 are included under the topic Early Synserff History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Synserff Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Sydserf, Sideserf, Sideserfe, Sinserf, Synserf, Sideserwe, Sadsarf, Saidserf and many more.

Early Notables of the Synserff family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas Sydserff (1581-1663), Bishop of Galloway, the eldest son of James Sydserff, merchant, Edinburgh. "He was present at the meeting of bishops and other ministers held at Holyrood on 30 June 1633 to discuss the introduction of the English prayer-book. Sydserff strongly advocated the measure...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Synserff Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Synserff family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: 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..



  1. 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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