Show ContentsLison History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Lison

What does the name Lison mean?

Today's generation of the Lison family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Lison family lived in Glamorgan. Their name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Lisons, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Lison family

The surname Lison was first found in Glamorgan where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor in Neath. Family tradition has it that the family is of ancient Glamorgan stock which was famous in Neath before the Norman Conquest in 1066 A.D., but it may also be conjectured that the family originated from Lison, in the department of Calvados, in Normandy.

Early History of the Lison family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lison research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1550 and 1651 are included under the topic Early Lison History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lison Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Lison include Lysons, Lysans, Lysance, Lysaunce, Lisons, Lisance, Licence, License, Lycence, Lysanse, Lysonse, Liconce, Lyconce, Leyson, Leysons, Lison, Leysaunce and many more.

Early Notables of the Lison family

More information is included under the topic Early Lison Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Lison migration to the United States +

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Lisons to arrive on North American shores:

Lison Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • P. Lison who settled in New Orleans La. in 1821


The Lison 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: Valebit
Motto Translation: He will prevail.


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