Show ContentsHorsell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Horsell Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Early Origins and Etymology of Horsell

The surname Horsell was first found in Northumberland at Horsley, a township, in the parish of Ovingham, about 9 miles from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. There is also a parish named Horsley, in Gloucestershire and another parish, so named in Derbyshire.

"In the reign of Henry III., Malveysin de Hercy, doubtless a descendant of the Hercy, of the Battle Roll, was Constable of Tykhill. He acquired by his marriage with Theophania, daughter and coheir of Gilbert de Arches, the estate of Grove, Nottinghamshire, and became ancestor of the Hercys of that place; and also of the Hercys of Cruchfield, Berkshire, now represented by John Hercy, Esq. of Cruchfield." 1

The parish of Horsey-next-the-Sea in Norfolk is another likely source of the name 2 3

The name is derived from the Old English words "hors" + "leah," and literally means "clearing or pasture where horses are kept." 4 The parishes in Derbyshire and Gloucestershire were both listed as Horselei in the Domesday Book in 1086. 5

At one time the family held a manor in Long Horsley. "The manor was at an early period the property of the Merlays; after them the Greystocks held it; and the Horsleys possessed lands here from an early period, till their heiress married into the family of Widdrington." 6

Some of the first records of the family include: William de Horseia who was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Hampshire in 1182; William de Horseye, found in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1268 and John atte Horsee, listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Surrey in 1332. 2

And from the last entry, we find the parish Horsell in Surrey dating back to at least the 13th century when it was recorded as Horisell. The place name takes it name from the Old English "hors" + "eg" and literally means "shelter for animals in a muddy place." 4 Horsell Common was the site in H. G. Wells novel The War of the Worlds of the first Martian landing.

Thomas de Horseye was Bailiff of Yarmouth in 1269 7 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Alicia de Horsey, Norfolk; and Mathew de Horseye, Norfolk. 8

In Somerset, John de Horsy was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) 9

In Scotland, the Horsley variant was prevalent as in "Richard de Horsleye of the county of Lanark, who rendered homage in 1296 most probably derived his surname from Horsley in Northumberland. The lands of the Horsselys in Lanarkshire are recorded as forfeited in 1369." 10

Early History of the Horsell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Horsell research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1546, 1547, 1550, 1573, 1583, 1626, 1627, 1685 and 1732 are included under the topic Early Horsell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Horsell Spelling Variations

The name, Horsell, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Horsley, Horsey, de Horsey, O'Horsey and others.

Early Notables of the Horsell family

Sir John Horsey (died 1546), knight of Henry VIII and Lord of the Manor of Clifton Maubank. Sir Edward Horsey (d. 1583), was a naval and military commander, a member of a family of considerable note in Dorsetshire, connected with Clifton Maubank (now Maybank), Wyke in Sherborne, and Melcombe Horsey, was the son of Jasper Horsey of Exton, who was brother of Sir John Horsey. 11 Sir Jerome Horsey (fl. 1573-1627), was an English traveller, son of William Horsey, who was probably brother of George Horsey of...
Another 85 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Horsell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Horsell family to Ireland

Some of the Horsell 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.

Horsell migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Horsell surname who came to North America were:

Horsell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Charles Horsell, aged 20, British settler who arrived in New York in 1845 aboard the ship "Westminster" 12
  • Karolina Horsell, aged 32, Swedish settler who arrived in New York in 1881 aboard the ship "City of Brussels" 12
  • Karolina Horsell, Jr., aged 2, Swedish settler who arrived in New York in 1881 aboard the ship "City of Brussels" 12
  • Aron Horsell, aged 22, British settler who arrived in New York in 1888 aboard the ship "Celtic" 12
  • Charles Horsell, aged 25, British settler who arrived in New York in 1888 aboard the ship "S.S. Umbria" 12
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Horsell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Frank Horsell, aged 51, British settler who arrived in New York in 1914 aboard the ship "Aquitania" 12
  • Louise Horsell, aged 49, British settler who arrived in New York in 1914 aboard the ship "Aquitania" 12
  • Kate E. Horsell, aged 31, British settler who arrived in New York in 1922 aboard the ship "Saxonia" 12
  • Caroline M. Horsell, aged 45, British settler who arrived in New York in 1932 aboard the ship "Berengaria" 12

Horsell migration to Australia +

Horsell Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century
  • Henry Horsell, aged 30, British farmer from Plymouth, arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Canberra" in 1913 13
  • Mr. G. Horsell, aged 27, Scottis settler who arrived in Melbourne, Australia aboard the ship "Mokoia" in 1915 13

Contemporary Notables of the name Horsell (post 1700) +

  • Martin Horsell (b. 1986), English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Yate Town
  • William Horsell (1807-1863), English hydrotherapist, publisher, and temperance and vegetarianism activist who published the first vegan cookbook in 1849
  • Elizabeth Horsell (1796-1872), English vegetarianism, temperance activist and the author of an early vegan cookbook, wife of William Horsell
  • Cordell Horsell, Australian actor, known for [pseudonym] (2022), Jimpa and Behind the Seams (2023)
  • Jack Horsell (1914-1985), Australian cricketer who played in two first-class matches for South Australia between 1937 and 1939
  • Albert Horsell (1909-1982), Australian rugby league footballer who played for the Eastern Suburbs (1936, 1938)
  1. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  5. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  6. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  7. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  8. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  9. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  10. 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)
  11. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  12. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
  13. Public Record Office Victoria retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://prov.vic.gov.au/

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