Show ContentsChesells History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Chesells family

The surname Chesells was first found in Essex at either Great Chishall or Little Chishall. Both parishes are in the in the union of Royston, hundred of Uttlesford. "John de Chishal or Chishull, Bishop of London, who died in the year 1279, took his name from Little Chishall." 1 Another John Chishull (John de Chishull) (d. 1180), Bishop of Essex was similarly from this area.

Richard de Chesthull was listed in the Assize Rolls of Shropshire in 1221 and years later, William Chesul was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1275. 2

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists William de Chishill in Cambridgeshire and Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III lists John de Chishall, Cambridgeshire, temp. 30 Edward I. 3

Chesil Beach (also known as Chesil Bank) is found in Dorset. This place name was derived from "Chisille bank" c. 1540 from the Old English word "cisel" meaning "shingle" 4 and is today one of three major shingle structures in Britain. Chessel Bay is found in the east of the district of Northam in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The Chessels is an area of Bedminster, Bristol that includes Chessel Street is the main road. The name Chessel is taken from the name of a field, recorded in 1350.

Early History of the Chesells family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Chesells research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1510, 1545 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Chesells History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Chesells Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Chessell, Chessel, Chesell, Chesswell, Chesshill, Chessill, Chessall and many more.

Early Notables of the Chesells family

More information is included under the topic Early Chesells Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Chesells family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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