Show ContentsAleigh History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Aleigh Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Aleigh

What does the name Aleigh mean?

This surname is derived from a geographical locality as in 'of the Alley,' i.e. from residence in a narrow passage from the Middle English aley and alley. 1 2 3

Early Origins of the Aleigh family

The surname Aleigh was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Alli was listed in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Staffordshire. 4 The next entry for the family was found in Norfolk, where early records there show Johannes filius Alli in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1205. In Cumberland, Hugo, son of Ally was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1332 and Alice Ally was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. Richard Ally was a Freeman of York in 1352. 5 Simon de Ally, Lancashire was listed in the Testa de Nevill, sive Liber Feodorum, temp. Henry III-Edward I. 6

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 recorded Walter Alleye, Oxfordshire and John Alley, Cambridgeshire. 1

Early History of the Aleigh family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Aleigh research. Another 206 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1041, 1046, 1092, 1153, 1166, 1451, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1539, 1543, 1570, 1600, 1623, 1706, 1726 and 1810 are included under the topic Early Aleigh History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Aleigh Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Aleigh have been found, including Alye, Allye, Allie, Alley, Aley, Allee, Aleigh and many more.

Early Notables of the Aleigh family

William Alley (1510?-1570), English divine, Bishop of Exeter, a native of Chipping Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. "Early in the reign of Queen Elizabeth he became divinity reader at St. Paul's, London, and admirably performed the duties...
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Aleigh Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Aleigh family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Aleigh, or a variant listed above: Catherine Alyea, who was on record in Ameliasburgh in the census of Ontario of 1861; Sus Allie, who came to Virginia in 1690; and John Allie, who arrived in Canada in 1818..
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  3. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  6. Testa de Nevill or "Liber Feodorum" or "Book of Fees," thought to have been written by Ralph de Nevill, for King John (1199–1216)

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