Disnay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The history of the Disnay family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Lincolnshire. This family was originally from Isigny, in Calvados, Normandy, and it is from the local form of this place-name, D'Isigny, literally translating as from Isigny, that their surname derives. 1

Early Origins of the Disnay family

The surname Disnay was first found in Lincolnshire where they "settled for many years at Norton D'Isney" 2

Now named Norton Disney, the small village and civil parish is on the western boundary of the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire. The first reference of the place name was found in 1331 as Norton Isny and was held by the de Isney family since the 12th century. 3

Leland, in his Itinerary, p. 29, in enumerating the gentry of the Kesteven division of Lincolnshire, mentions "Disney, alias de Iseney; he dwelleth at Diseney, and of his name and line be gentlemen of Fraunce. Ailesham Priory by Thorney Courtoise was of the Diseney's foundation, and there divers of them buryed and likewise at Diseney." Lambert de Isney, of Norton D'Isney, co. Lincoln, is the first of the name mentioned in the public records. His descendants, of nightly degree, were seated for a long series of generations in Lincolnshire, representing the county in parliament, and allying with its best families. The present male representation vests in the family of Disney of the Hyde in Essex. 4

Early History of the Disnay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Disnay research. Another 111 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1641, 1677 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Disnay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Disnay Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Disney, Deisney, D'Isney and others.

Early Notables of the Disnay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir William D'Isney, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; and Sir Henry Disney of Norton Disney (died 1641) progenitor of the present family. 2 John Disney (1677-1730), was an English divine...
Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Disnay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Disnay family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Disnay or a variant listed above were: William Disney who settled in Maryland in 1740.

The Disnay 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: Vincit qui patitur
Motto Translation: He conquers who endures.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.