Show ContentsNetherseal History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Netherseal Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Netherseal

What does the name Netherseal mean?

The name Netherseal is thought to have been an early English and Scandinavian name meaning "dweller at the Lower Hall [Old English neoðera = Old Norse neðri, lower + Old English sœl = Old Norse sal-r, a hall] But in Kent, where the Nethersoles are mostly found, a sole is a pond or pool." 1

Early Origins of the Netherseal family

The surname Netherseal was first found in Kent at Nethersole Farm in Womenswold. 2 3 It was here that the Domesday Book, 4 indicated that the family is conjecturally descended from the tenant of the lands of Nettlestead, held by Hamo the Sheriff from Odo, Bishop of Bayeaux who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. This large village had a Church, 2 Mills and a fishery in 1086.

However, we must look to Essex to find the first record of the family in early rolls. There we found Edmund Nethersole in the Feet of Fines for 1410. Later in Essex, John Nethersole was in the Feet of Fines for 1498. 2 Edmund Nethersole was listed in the Calendar of Wills in Court of Husting in 1309. 5

Early History of the Netherseal family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Netherseal research. Another 245 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1106, 1410, 1432, 1482, 1498, 1510, 1523, 1529, 1536, 1550, 1556, 1587, 1600, 1605, 1608, 1609, 1610, 1618, 1619, 1659, 1717 and 1748 are included under the topic Early Netherseal History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Netherseal 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 Nethersole, Nethersall, Nethersoll, Nethersal, Nethershall, Nethershal, Nethersale, Nethershale, Nethershole and many more.

Early Notables of the Netherseal family

John Nethersall (c.1550), English actor. Sir Francis Nethersole (1587-1659), was Secretary to the Electress Elizabeth, born in 1587, and was second son of John Nethersole of Winghamswood or Wimlingswold, Kent, by his wife Perigrinia, daughter of Francis Wilsford. Elected to a scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, on 12 April 1605...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Netherseal Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Netherseal 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 Netherseal or a variant listed above: settlers were recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Florida, and to the islands..
  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
  4. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)

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