Onsly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Anglo-Saxon name Onsly comes from when the family resided in the settlement of Onslow in the county of Shropshire. The surname Onsly belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Onsly family

The surname Onsly was first found in Shropshire at Onslow, where the family went "as far back as the time of Richard I., and probably much earlier. The first recorded ancestor is John de Ondeslowe, whose grandson, Waring, was father of 'Roger de Ondelsowe, juxta Shresbury,' whose son Thomas was living in the twelve [year] of Edward II, 1318." 1

Early History of the Onsly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Onsly research. Another 170 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1571, 1601, 1622, 1628, 1641, 1642, 1654, 1660, 1664, 1685, 1688, 1708, 1710, 1714, 1715, 1717, 1721 and 1801 are included under the topic Early Onsly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Onsly 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. Onsly has been recorded under many different variations, including Onslow, Onsley and others.

Early Notables of the Onsly family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Sir Richard Onslow (1601-1664), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1628 and 1664, he fought on the Parliamentary side during the English Civil War; and his second son, Sir Arthur Onslow, 1st Baronet (1622-1688), an English politician who...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Onsly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Onsly 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 Onsly or a variant listed above: Charles Onslow settled in New York State in 1728.

The Onsly 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: Festina lente
Motto Translation: Be quick without impetuosity.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.