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![Show Contents]() Belsbay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Early Origins of the Belsbay familyThe surname Belsbay was first found in Lincolnshire at Bilsby, a parish, in the hundred of Calceworth, Lincolnshire. This village was listed as Billesbi in the Domesday Book 1 and meant "farmstead or village of a man called Bildr from the Old Norse personal name "by" 2 Alternatively the name could have come from Beelsby, a village in North East Lincolnshire. Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Beelsby, held by Godric the King's Steward, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. At that time, Beelsby held 3 mills. Early History of the Belsbay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Belsbay research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1097, 1190, 1484, 1510, 1550, 1600 and 1604 are included under the topic Early Belsbay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Belsbay Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Belsbay were recorded, including Billesby, Billsby, Beelsby, Belsby, Bilsby, Bilbie, Bilsbie and many more. Early Notables of the Belsbay familyMore information is included under the topic Early Belsbay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Belsbay familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Belsbay arrived in North America very early: Clemence Byllesby, aged 19, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1919; Henry M. Byllesby, aged 60, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1918; Henry W. Byllesby, aged 55, who arrived at Ellis Island, in 1913.
- 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)
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