Of all the
Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Ippislay is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in Ipsley, in
Warwickshire. The place-name Ipsley is composed of two Old English elements. The first is the word
yppe, which meant "upland, high place." The second is
leah, which meant "forest clearing." The place-name as a whole means "forest clearing on an upland; clearing in a high place."
Early Origins of the Ippislay family
The surname Ipp
Islay was first found in
Somerset 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 Ippislay family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ippislay research.
Another 115 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ippislay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Ippislay Spelling Variations
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few
hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time,
spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ippislay has been spelled many different ways, including Hippisley, Hippesley, Hippsley, Hipsey, Hipsley and others.
Early Notables of the Ippislay family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Ippislay Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Ipp Islay family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ippislays to arrive in North America: Joseph Hippisley who settled in Maryland in 1774; William Hipsley settled in Barbados in 1654; transferring in 1670 to Virginia; Joe Hippsley settled in St. Christopher in 1635..
The Ippislay Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Non mihi
Motto Translation: Not for myself.