| ![Show Contents]() Illsley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of IllsleyWhat does the name Illsley mean? The Illsley surname is a habitational name taken on from the villages of East and West Ilsley on the Berkshire Downs. These place names are derived from the Old English words "hild," meaning "strife," or "battle," and " le-ah," which is a clearing in the woods. Early Origins of the Illsley familyThe surname Illsley was first found in Berkshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D. Early History of the Illsley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Illsley research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Illsley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Illsley Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Illsley are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Illsley include: Illsley, Illsbey, Ilsley and others. Early Notables of the Illsley family
| Illsley migration to the United States | + |
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Illsley or a variant listed above:
Illsley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century- Randall Illsley, who arrived in New York State in 1775
| Illsley migration to Australia | + |
Illsley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mr. George Edward Illsley, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Commodore Hayes" in April 1823, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 1
| Contemporary Notables of the name Illsley (post 1700) | + |
- John Illsley (b. 1949), English musician, best known as bassist of the rock band Dire Straits, recipient of multiple BRIT and Grammy Awards, and a Heritage Award, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018
- Mark Illsley (b. 1958), American film director, known for the film Happy, Texas and directing Bookies
- Leslie Illsley (1936-1989), English artist and sculptor, based in West Penwith, one of the founders of the Troika group (also known as Troika Pottery)
- Eric Illsley (b. 1955), British politician, Member of Parliament for Barnsley Central (1987-2011)
- Mr. Christopher Paul Illsley B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to charity in Lincolnshire 2
- Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th March 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/commodore-hayes
- "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
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