Show ContentsWisbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Wisbay family

The surname Wisbay was first found in Cambridge 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 Wisbech held by William de Warrenne who was scion of the Dukes of Warwick and who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Wisbay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Wisbay research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1379 and 1662 are included under the topic Early Wisbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Wisbay Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Wisbech, Wisbach, Wisbdge, Wishbedge, Wishbech, Wisbeck, Wisback, Wishbeck and many more.

Early Notables of the Wisbay family

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

Migration of the Wisbay family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: settlers were recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Florida, 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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