Hursay History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEarly Origins of the Hursay familyThe surname Hursay 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 Hursay familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hursay 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 Hursay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Hursay Spelling VariationsThe name, Hursay, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Horsley, Horsey, de Horsey, O'Horsey and others. Early Notables of the Hursay familyNotable amongst the family name during their early history was 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... Migration of the Hursay family to IrelandSome of the Hursay 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 Hursay familyThe 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 Hursay surname who came to North America were: Joseph and Jane Horsley settled in Virginia in 1652; John Horsey settled in New England in 1665; Thomas and Mary Horsey settled in Boston in 1766.
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