Cheslay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland

Early Origins of the Cheslay family

The surname Cheslay was first found in Caldyrstarrs, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Cheslay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cheslay research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1682, 1689 and 1745 are included under the topic Early Cheslay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cheslay Spelling Variations

Prior to the first dictionaries, scribes spelled words according to sound. This, and the fact that Scottish names were repeatedly translated from Gaelic to English and back, contributed to the enormous number of spelling variations in Scottish names. Cheslay has been spelled Chiesley, Chesley, Chesly, Cheysly, Cheisley, Cheislie and many more.

Early Notables of the Cheslay family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cheslay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cheslay family

In such difficult times, the difficulties of raising the money to cross the Atlantic to North America did not seem so large compared to the problems of keeping a family together in Scotland. It was a journey well worth the cost, since it was rewarded with land and freedom the Scots could not find at home. The American War of Independence solidified that freedom, and many of those settlers went on to play important parts in the forging of a great nation. Among them: John Chesley who settled in Maryland in 1751; Robert Chesley settled in Maryland in 1751; and Henry Chesly settled in Virginia in 1750.

The Cheslay 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: Credo et videbo
Motto Translation: I believe, and I shall see.