The name Ipsley has a long
Anglo-Saxon heritage. The name comes from when a family 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 Ipsley family
The surname Ipsley 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 Ipsley family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ipsley research.
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Ipsley Spelling Variations
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few
hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ipsley have been found, including Hippisley, Hippesley, Hippsley, Hipsey, Hipsley and others.
Early Notables of the Ipsley family (pre 1700)
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PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Ipsley family to the New World and Oceana
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in
England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in
England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Ipsley, or a variant listed above: 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 Ipsley 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.