Show ContentsTeylor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Teylor is one of the many names that came to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name is derived from the Old French "tailleor" or "tailleur," meaning "a tailor." 1

Early Origins of the Teylor family

The surname Teylor was first found in Sussex, and in Kent where there is record in the "Archaeologia Cantiana" of Walter Taylur in circa 1180. William le Taillur was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of Somerset in 1182, and John le talliur is listed in the Assize Rolls of London in 1202. 2

"William Tallator had a grant at Southampton; and also in Kent from King John. The family then became seated in Kent and Sussex. in 1307 Henry le Taillur was of Sussex and in 1324 William Taylor was M.P. from Bramber, as was Richard Taylor in 1379." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: Henry Taliur in Norfolk; Cecil le Tayllour in Cambridgeshire; Roger le Taylur in Lincolnshire; and Richard le Taylor in Northumberland. 4

Early History of the Teylor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Teylor research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1601, 1602, 1613, 1620, 1621, 1629, 1641, 1645, 1649, 1661, 1667, 1699, 1729, 1779, 1890 and 1920 are included under the topic Early Teylor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Teylor Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Teylor include Taylor, Taylour, Taylur, Tailler, Taillefer and many more.

Early Notables of the Teylor family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Taylor (1645-1729), who was hailed as the finest American poet of the 17th century upon the publication of his work in 1920; Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) English cleric in the Church of England; Richard Taylor (died 1641), an English lawyer and politician who sat in...
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Teylor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Teylor family to Ireland

Some of the Teylor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 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 Teylor family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Teylors to arrive on North American shores: Achsah Taylor, who arrived in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; James Taylor, who emigrated Dumfries to Virginia in the 1600's, Abraham Taylor, who settled in Virginia in 1664.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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