Kingsberey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Anglo-Saxon name Kingsberey comes from when the family resided in one of the various parishes called KingsBerry (Kingbury), which had locations in the counties of Middlesex, Warwickshire, and Somerset. Literally the surname means "the King's Castle [Old English Cynges-burh, burh, a stronghold, &c.]" 1 Other sources claim the name literally means "the King's Manor" or "the King's Fort." 2 3

As noted, the place names were Anglo Saxon in origin and as such, predates the Norman Conquest. The Middlesex (London) parish dates back to 1044, when it was known as Kynges Byrig, but a few years later was listed as Chingesberie in the Domesday Book of 1086. The Somerset has the same spelling in the Domesday Book, but was listed as Cyncgesbyrig in 1065. 4 As one would presume, the Somerset spelling in 1065 likely influenced the spelling for the Middlesex parish in the Domesday Book.

Early Origins of the Kingsberey family

The surname Kingsberey was first found in Hertfordshire where John de Kingesberi was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1211. A few years later, William de Kynnesbir was listed in the Assize Rolls of Warwickshire in 1221. 5 And in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, Adam de Kinggesbire was listed as holding lands at that time in Lincolnshire. 6

"Kingsbury Hall [Warwickshire], now a farmhouse, is of great antiquity, and appears to have been originally of very considerable extent, and to have been defended by fortifications, of which some vestiges may still be traced. " 7

Early History of the Kingsberey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kingsberey research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1380, 1390, 1603, 1662 and 1791 are included under the topic Early Kingsberey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kingsberey Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Kingsberey has been recorded under many different variations, including KingsBerry, Kingsbury and others.

Early Notables of the Kingsberey family

Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kingsberey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kingsberey family to Ireland

Some of the Kingsberey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kingsberey family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Kingsberey or a variant listed above: Henry KingsBerry settled in Virginia in 1729; Henry Kingsbury settled in Boston in 1630 with his wife Margaret and son Henry, he later moved to Salem.

The Kingsberey 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: Prudens et innoccuus
Motto Translation: Wise and innoccuus

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-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)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.