Tanslee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Tanslee family

The surname Tanslee was first found in Derbyshire at Tansley, a hamlet, in the parish of Crich, union of Bakewell, hundred of Wirksworth. 1 The first record of this family was Hemming de Taneslea who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Derbyshire in 1175. 2

The hamlet of Tansley dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first recorded as Taneslege. 3 The place name probably meant "woodland clearing of a man called Tan," from the Old English personal name + "leah." 4

Early History of the Tanslee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tanslee research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tanslee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tanslee Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Tanslee are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. 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. The variations of the name Tanslee include: Tansley, Tansleigh and others.

Early Notables of the Tanslee family

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

Migration of the Tanslee family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Tanslee or a variant listed above: Thomas Tansly settled in New Providence, R.I. in 1683; John Tansley arrived in Philadelphia in 1865.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)