Clisby History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Clisby is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Clisby family lived in the North Riding of Yorkshire at Cleasby, a parish in the union of Darlington, wapentake of Gilling-East. 1 2

Early Origins of the Clisby family

The surname Clisby was first found in Yorkshire where the village of Cleasby (sometimes Clesby) in the North Riding of Yorkshire was held by Enisan, a Norman noble, who is the conjectural ancestor of the Cleasby surname. 3 4

The first reference for the family was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 as Johannes de Clesbe. 5

Early History of the Clisby family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Clisby research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1202, 1273, 1300, 1379, 1416, 1587 and 1784 are included under the topic Early Clisby History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Clisby Spelling Variations

Before 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 Clisby family name include Clesby, Cleasby, Clisby, Clisbee, Clesbie, Clesebi, Cleseby, Clesby, Clesbe and many more.

Early Notables of the Clisby family

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

Clisby migration to the United States +

To 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 Clisby family to immigrate North America:

Clisby Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Clisby who arrived in America in 1768

Clisby migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Clisby Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Clisby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Prince George" in 1838 6
George Clisby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1838 7
Sarah Clisby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1838 7
George Lewis Clisby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1838 7
Harriet Clisby, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1838 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Clisby (post 1700) +

J. H. Clisby, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1884 8
Mitch Clisby (b. 1990), Australian rules football player
Jack Clisby (b. 1992), Australian footballer
Mark Wallis Clisby, Australian lawyer, author, journalist and military historian
Leslie Redford "Les" Clisby DFC (1914-1940), Australian fighter ace of World War II credited with sixteen aerial victories
Les Clisby, Australian fighter pilot and flying ace in the Royal Air Force, during World War II, credited with 16 aerial victories

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PRINCE GEORGE 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838PrinceGeorge-London.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) RAJASTHAN 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Rajasthan.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html