Cornelys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Cornelys family name is linked to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes 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 Cornelys family

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

Early History of the Cornelys family

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

Cornelys Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Cornelys include Cornelius, Cornelis, Cornellis, Cornelys and others.

Early Notables of the Cornelys family

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

Migration of the Cornelys family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Cornelys were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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)