Hundsly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The origins of the Hundsly name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in the settlements of High Hunsley and Low Hunsley in the East Riding of Yorkshire. 1 The surname Hundsly 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 Hundsly family

The surname Hundsly was first found in Yorkshire, at High Hunsley, a small hamlet in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The village dates back to the Domesday Book 2 where it was recorded as Hund(r)eslege and meant "woodland clearing of a man called Hund" 3 "This place appears to have been anciently of more importance than it is at present, many foundations of buildings having been dug up at various times. Upon a hill here, was a beacon that gave name to the largest division of the wapentake." 4

Early History of the Hundsly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hundsly research. Another 45 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Hundsly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hundsly Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Hundsly were recorded, including Hunsley, Hunsly, Hunley, Hunly, Hundsley, Hundsly and others.

Early Notables of the Hundsly family

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

Migration of the Hundsly family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Hundsly family emigrate to North America: William Hunsley, who sailed to America in 1753.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.