Isaak History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The Anglo-Saxon name Isaak comes from the baptismal name Isaac. The surname Isaak referred to the son of Isaac which belongs to the category of patronymic surnames. The name is derived from the Hebrew word "yishaq" meaning "laughter." 1

The first record of the name in ancient Britain was found in the Domesday Book of 1086 where Isac was listed. 2 "This, as a baptismal name, was introduced about the time of the Conquest. One Isac appears as a chief tenant in Domesday Book." 3

"Hundreds of English people bear one or other of these surnames in whose veins there flows not a single drop of Jewish blood." 4

Early Origins of the Isaak family

The surname Isaak was first found in the Domesday Book of 1086. From this early entry, the name in both forename and surname forms became widespread with many early spellings. Willelmus (William) filius Ysac was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Essex in 1206; Henry Isaac was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcester in 1275, and Walter Isak in the Subsidy Rolls for Somerset in 1327. 5 6

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Robert filius Isaac, Lincolnshire; Isaac Judxus (the Jew), Yorkshire; Johannes Isaak, Norfolk; and John Ysac, Oxfordshire. 4

In Scotland, "the name was not uncommon among ecclesiastics in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Isaac was prior of Scone from 1154 till 1162, and Magister Isaac was a cleric of St. Andrews, 1201. Ysaac of Brechin was a charter witness there c. 1178-98, and Ysaac de Banevin (Benvie) was one of a jury regarding the Kirketun of Aberbuthenoth, 1205." 7

Early History of the Isaak family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Isaak research. Another 372 words (27 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1203, 1214, 1231, 1242, 1260, 1300, 1358, 1405, 1447, 1448, 1460, 1569, 1581, 1617, 1624, 1626, 1645, 1653, 1654, 1662, 1665, 1671, 1693 and 1698 are included under the topic Early Isaak History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Isaak 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 Isaak were recorded, including Isaacs, Isaac, Isaack, Isaacson, Izacke and others.

Early Notables of the Isaak family

Notables of the family at this time include John Isaac of Bekesbourne, Sheriff of Kent in 1460. Henry Isaacson (1581-1654), was an English theologian and chronologer, born in the parish of St. Catherine, Coleman Street, London, in September 1581, and was the eldest son of Richard Isaacson. "He appears to have been educated under the care of Bishop Lancelot Andrewes, by whom he was sent to Pembroke Hall...
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Isaak Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Isaak migration to the United States +

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 Isaak family emigrate to North America:

Isaak Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Belle Isaak, who landed in Virginia in 1830 8
Abraham Isaak, aged 29, who arrived in New York, NY in 1874 8
Dietrich Isaak, aged 27, who arrived in New York, NY in 1874 8
Peter Isaak, aged 31, who landed in New York, NY in 1874 8
Franz Isaak, aged 2, who arrived in New York, NY in 1875 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Isaak (post 1700) +

Isaak Maes (b. 2001), American musician
Isaak Markus Jost (1793-1860), Jewish historical writer
Isaak Vossius (1618-1688), Dutch scholar

Citations +

Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)