Show ContentsHatherslay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Hatherslay family

The surname Hatherslay 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 Hatherslay family

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

Hatherslay Spelling Variations

Hatherslay has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Hatherslay 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 Hatherslay family

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

Migration of the Hatherslay family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Hatherslays to arrive on North American shores: 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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