Evserslay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

In ancient Anglo-Saxon England, the ancestors of the Evserslay surname lived in either of the settlements called Everley in Wiltshire or the West Riding of Yorkshire. The surname Evserslay belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Evserslay family

The surname Evserslay was first found in North Yorkshire at Everley or at Everleigh in Wiltshire. Both are rather old villages. Everley in Yorkshire dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was listed as Eurelai 1 and Everleigh in Wiltshire dates back further to Saxon times when it was listed as Eburleagh. Both have similar origins in that they both literally mean "wood or clearing frequented by wild boars," from the Old English words "eofar" + "leah." 2

Everley in Wiltshire "at the time of the heptarchy, was the residence of Ina, King of the West Saxons; it subsequently belonged for many generations to the Plantagenets, dukes of Lancaster, and eventually became vested in the crown, as the property of Henry of Bolingbroke, afterwards Henry IV. " 3

Early English rolls provide us a glimpse of the spelling variations used through Medieval times: Ailward de Euerlay was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1200 for Warwickshire; William de Everley in Yorkshire in 1247; and William de Euerley in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1346. 4

Further to the north in Scotland, this branch claims descent from "Everley in the North Riding, Yorkshire. Johannes de Euerlay, canon of Dunkeld, was papal commissioner, 1248 and also in 1250-1251 was witness to a charter by Geoffrey, bishop of Dunkeld. As Johannes de Evirlay or Ewerlay he is a charter witness in Perth in reigns of Alexander II and III. He may be Master John de Enerleya (u misread n), apparently a churchman, who attested a charter to Abbey of Culross, c. 1231." 5

Early History of the Evserslay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Evserslay research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1268, 1511, 1554, 1586, 1639 and 1664 are included under the topic Early Evserslay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Evserslay Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Evserslay are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Evserslay include: Everley, Eveleigh, Eveley, Evelley, Everlie and others.

Early Notables of the Evserslay family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Evserslay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Evserslay family to Ireland

Some of the Evserslay 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.

Migration of the Evserslay family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Evserslay or a variant listed above: Katherine Everley who settled in Virginia in 1654; Simon Everley settled in Philadelphia in 1753.

Citations +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)