The
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066 brought much change, including many immigrants with new names. Bizzell is a name for a person involved in the measuring and trading of corn. The name springs from the Old English root
bushel, which is a measure of volume which is still in use today. Another derivation of the name suggests that it stems from the Norman French root
bichelle, which means
hind or
deer. Which derivation is applicable depends on the geographic roots of the particular family group in question.
Early Origins of the Bizzell family
The surname Bizzell was first found in Berkshire, where they had been granted lands by King William after the
Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D.
Early History of the Bizzell family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bizzell research.
Another 221 words (16 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Bizzell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Bizzell Spelling Variations
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few
hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bizzell have been found, including Bissell, Bichell and others.
Early Notables of the Bizzell family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Bizzell Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Bizzell family to the New World and Oceana
For many English families, the social climate in
England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of
Ireland,
Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Bizzell were among those contributors: John Bissell who arrived in west New Jersey in 1664; Thomas Bissell who settled in Virginia in 1663; Thomas Bissell arrived in Philadelphia in 1774; Charles Bissell arrived in New York City in 1822..
Contemporary Notables of the name Bizzell (post 1700)
- William Bennett Bizzell (1876-1944), American academic, 5th President of the University of Oklahoma, President of Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas and President of the College of Industrial Arts, eponym of the Bizzell Memorial Library, Norman Oklahoma
- Patricia Bizzell Ph.D.,, American Professor of English and Chairperson of the English Department at College of the Holy Cross
- Jim Bob Bizzell (b. 1985), American gold and two-time silver medalist Paralympian athlete
- Tyler Bizzell (b. 1976), South African stuntman, known for his work on Mission: Impossible III (2006), The Aryan Couple (2004) and One Roll of Film (2005)
- Clinton "Clint" Bizzell (b. 1976), former professional Australian rules footballer who played from 1996 to 2007 and actor known for his roles in Neighbours (1985), Laughing Stock (2005) and City Homicide (2007)