Cornellay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Cornellay is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from Cornelius, a given name that came to England in the 15th or 16th century from Holland or Belgium. The names Cornelius and Cornelia were popular in the Low Countries because the relics of St. Cornelius, a Pope from the third century, were kept at the Chapter of Rosnay, in Flanders. 1

Early Origins of the Cornellay family

The surname Cornellay was first found in Essex, where they held a family seat from the Middle Ages.

Early History of the Cornellay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cornellay research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1354, 1557, 1568, 1575, 1594 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Cornellay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Cornellay Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Cornellay include Cornelius, Cornelis, Cornellis, Cornelys and others.

Early Notables of the Cornellay family

Another 43 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cornellay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Cornellay family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Bernard Cornelius who sailed to Barbados in 1678 and Elizabeth Cornelius to Philadelphia in 1733.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)