Densley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Densley is a name of ancient Norman origin. It arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Densley family lived in Wiltshire. The family was originally from Anizy, in Calvados, Normandy, and it is from this location that their surname derives. The name would have stood as D'Anizy, which means from Anizy. 1

Early Origins of the Densley family

The surname Densley was first found in Wiltshire where Richard de Dauntesye was one of the first records of the name as listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. The same rolls listed Peter de Dauntesy in Berkshire. 2

West Lavington in Wiltshire "was for many generations the property of the Dauntsey family, of whom William Dauntsey, a younger son, was alderman of London in 1542." 3 He would later found and endow an almshouse, and a grammar school there. The church contains the sepulchral chapel of the Dauntsey family. Through marriage the property passed to the Danvers family.

Early History of the Densley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Densley research. Another 156 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1242, 1348, 1349, 1542, 1632, 1660 and 1663 are included under the topic Early Densley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Densley Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Dancey, Dauncy, Dauncey, Dauntsey, Dance, Dancie, Dauncie, Dauntsie and many more.

Early Notables of the Densley family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Dansy, High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1348 and 1349. Roger Dansey was High Sheriff of Herefordshire in 1632. William Dauntesey (or Dauntsey) was a London merchant and Master of the Worshipful Company of Mercers. He died...
Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Densley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Densley family to Ireland

Some of the Densley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Densley migration to the United States +

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Densley or a variant listed above:

Densley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Daniel Densley, aged 69, arrived in New York in 1895 aboard the ship "Anchoria" from Glasgow, Scotland 4

Densley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Annie Densley, aged 21, originally from London, arrived in New York in 1903 aboard the ship "Aurania (1883)" from Liverpool, England 4
Robert S. Densley, aged 43, destined for Cleveland, arrived in New York in 1906 aboard the ship "Etruria" from Liverpool, England 4
William R. Densley, aged 15, destined for Cleveland, arrived in New York in 1906 aboard the ship "Etruria" from Liverpool, England 4
Robert S. Densley, aged 44, originally from Belfast, Ireland, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Campania" from Liverpool, England 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Densley (post 1700) +

Gentry Densley, American singer, guitarist and composer
Peter Densley (b. 1964), former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in 1984
Leslie Harold Densley (1894-1974), Australian farmer and politician, President of the South Australian Legislative Council (1962-1967)

Citations +

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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result