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![Show Contents]() Ressall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
The ancestors of the Ressall family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Shropshire, at Rossall Manor, from whence their name is derived. Another derivation places the origin of the name at Rossall Point, a headland in Lancashire, just north of Shropshire. It is difficult to say which of these preceded the other, due to inadequate records of the time. However, due to the relatively close proximity of the two counties, it is quite likely that the two origins are connected in a way lost to the historical record. Early Origins of the Ressall familyThe surname Ressall was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat from ancient times, and were Lords of the manor of Rossall, originally named Rosela. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086, initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England in 1066, the holdings were known as the Isle of Rossall, held by the Church of St. Chad. A junior branch of this name gave its name to Rossall in Lancashire which was also included in the Domesday Book, 1 but on which the records are now lost. Early History of the Ressall familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ressall research. Another 91 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1306 and 1677 are included under the topic Early Ressall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Ressall Spelling VariationsBefore the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Ressall were recorded, including Rossal, Rossall, Rossale, Rosal, Rosall, Rosale and many more. Early Notables of the Ressall familyMore information is included under the topic Early Ressall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Ressall familyThe unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Ressall arrived in North America very early: Thomas Rassall, who settled in Maryland in 1739; and Richard Rossall, who applied for naturalization in New York in 1856.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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