| ![Show Contents]() Bissly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of BisslyWhat does the name Bissly mean? The surname Bissly is derived from the large village named Bisley in Surrey. The village's name was first recorded in the 10th century as 'Busseleghe' when it was derived from the old English words 'Bysc', meaning bushes, and 'Leah', a clearing. In more modern terms, the name means 'clearing where bushes grow.' Bisley is also a village in Gloucestershire, but this latter village was established after the Surrey local. Finally, Bisley is also a game of solitaire we cannot determine if the surname is related. Early Origins of the Bissly familyThe surname Bissly was first found in Berkshire, 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 Leofric of Abingdon who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Early History of the Bissly familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bissly research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1180, 1483, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Bissly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Bissly Spelling VariationsBefore the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Bissly family name include Bisley, Bisley, Bissley, Bysley and others. Early Notables of the Bissly familyMore information is included under the topic Early Bissly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Bissly familyTo escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Bissly family to immigrate North America: Wm. Bisley, who came to Virginia in 1618; Francis Bisley, who settled in Virginia in 1637; and Alexander Bisley, who arrived in New York in 1714.
- 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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