Kaylee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Kaylee is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Kaylee family lived in Norfolk, where they were Lords of the Castle of Cailly. The name was originally from 'de Cailli,' from Cailli, an arrondissement of Rouen. 1 "Hugh de Cailly, lord of Orby, Norfolk, was head of the family whence sprang the barony." 2

Another source believes that the name was from "the French town, Calais, possessed by the English from temp. Edward II. to Queen Mary." 3

Early Origins of the Kaylee family

The surname Kaylee was first found in Norfolk where one of the first records of the name was William de Kailli, de Caly who was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1210. Alternatively the name Caley, is a fairly common Manx name. 4

There are very few early records of the name but researchers did manage to find two records in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: Osbert de Caly, Norfolk; and Hugh de Caly, Norfolk. 2

"The Calleys of Wilts deduce from Norfolk. I find no locality so denominated, and the family may possibly spring from the Scottish M'Caulays." 3

The plural from of the name was popular too in the early years. The Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III listed "John de Caleys, Jersey, 20 Edward I" (during the twentieth year's reign of Edward I.) The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Henricus de Calays; and Robertas Calas. 2

Early History of the Kaylee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kaylee research. Another 189 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1576, 1602, 1603, 1610, 1634, 1635, 1640, 1654, 1661, 1663, 1667, 1681, 1708, 1709, 1717, 1727 and 1798 are included under the topic Early Kaylee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kaylee Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Cailly, Calley, Callis, Cally, Caley, Cayley and many more.

Early Notables of the Kaylee family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Cawley (1602-1667), British politician, MP for Midhurst in 1640 and regicide who fled to the Netherlands and then Switzerland after the Restoration. He was the eldest son of John Cawley, a brewer of Chichester, who was three times mayor. His son, John Cawley, was Archdeacon of Lincoln 1667-1709. 5 Sir William Cayley, was 2nd Baronet (1635-c. 1708); Sir Arthur Cayley, 3rd Baronet (c. 1654-1727); and John Calley (1663-1717), was...
Another 76 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kaylee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kaylee family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Kaylee or a variant listed above: John Calley who settled in New England with his son in 1679; Anne Cally arrived in New York City in 1822.

Contemporary Notables of the name Kaylee (post 1700) +

Kaylee Rochelle McKeown (b. 2001), Australian swimmer and triple Olympic gold medalist at the 2020 Summer Olympics

The Kaylee 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: Callide et honeste
Motto Translation: Wisely and honourably.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print