Beilay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

The annals of Scottish history reveal that Beilay was first used as a name by ancestors of the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland. The Beilay family lived in Bellie, in Morayshire. The name is a topographic or local surname, which was given to a family who held a barony or lands, had houses, manors or estates in that area. Some think that the name is derived from the occupational name of bailie, but our records cannot confirm that claim. Indeed much of the early records list many of the family in other occupations.

Early Origins of the Beilay family

The surname Beilay was first found in Moray, where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Beilay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beilay research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1598, 1643, 1648, 1650 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Beilay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beilay Spelling Variations

Before the first dictionaries appeared in the last few hundred years, scribes spelled according to sound. spelling variations are common among Scottish names. Beilay has been spelled Bellie, Belley, Bealie, Beeley, Belley, Bely, Beayly, Beyley, Beilley, Bealy, Bellye, Belly and many more.

Early Notables of the Beilay family

Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Beilay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Beilay family

In those unstable times, many had no choice but to leave their beloved homelands. Sickness and poverty hounded travelers to North America, but those who made it were welcomed with land and opportunity. These settlers gave the young nations of Canada and the United States a strong backbone as they stood up for their beliefs as United Empire Loyalists and in the American War of Independence. In this century, the ancestors of these brave Scots have begun to recover their illustrious heritage through Clan societies and other heritage organizations. Early passenger and immigration lists reveal many Scottish settlers bearing the name Beilay: Jo, his wife Ann, and daughter Ann Barbara Bellie all settled in Georgia in 1737; John Bellie settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1754; James Beely settled in Virginia in 1635.

The Beilay Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Per acuta Belli
Motto Translation: Through the asperities of war.