Show ContentsHadelsy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hadelsy family

The surname Hadelsy was first found in North Yorkshire at Chapel Haddlesey, a village and civil parish about five miles from Selby. West Haddlesey and East Haddlesey are townships nearby. The villages dates back to c. 1030 when they were known Hathel-sae and probably derived their name from the Old English words "hathal" + "sae," collectively meaning "marshy pool in a hollow." 1 Some of the earliest record of the name appear in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 where Wilhelmus de Hathelsay, Johannes Hathelsay and Juliana Hathelsay were all listed at Selby. 2

Early History of the Hadelsy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hadelsy research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Hadelsy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hadelsy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Hadelsy have been found, including Haddersley, Haddisley, Haddlesey, Hathersley, Hattersley, Hathersleigh, Haddersleigh, Haddelsey, Hathelsey, Hattelsey, Addersley, Attersleigh, Hadsley, Adsley, Attersley, Hadilsey, Hadelsey, Addilsey and many more.

Early Notables of the Hadelsy family

More information is included under the topic Early Hadelsy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Hadelsy family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Hadelsy, or a variant listed above: John Attersley, who came to America in 1682; William Hattersley, who came to Maryland in 1763; Josiah Hattersley, who arrived in Maryland in 1775; Levi Hattersley, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1818.



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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