Sallisbury History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Sallisbury family, who lived in Wiltshire, at Salisbury, from where their name is derived.

Early Origins of the Sallisbury family

The surname Sallisbury was first found in Wiltshire at Salisbury, a cathedral city that dates back to c. 900 when it was listed as Searobyrg. Over one hundred years later, the Domesday Book lists the place name as Sarisberie, much closer phonetically to today's name. The place name literally means "stronghold at Sorvio, " from the Old English words burgh + the Celtic name Sorviodunum. 1

Salisbury Cathedral is one of the most famous cathedrals in Britain; its spire can be seen for miles. Moreover, it is now home to pages from the Magna Carta which is on public display.

"Edward de Sarisberie, sometimes called Edward Vicecomes was a great tenant in chief in Wiltshire and other counties, at the making of the Domesday [Book]. He was a younger son of Walter de Evreux (Devereux) one of the few instances in those early times of a Norman family with a Saxon name. " 2

Early History of the Sallisbury family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Sallisbury research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1500, 1561, 1573, 1575, 1580, 1593, 1612, 1621, 1622, 1625, 1626, 1637, 1640, 1643, 1660, 1661, 1684 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Sallisbury History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Sallisbury Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Salisbury, Salesbury, Sallsbury, Salusbury and many more.

Early Notables of the Sallisbury family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Henry Salisbury or Salebury 1561-1637?), Welsh grammarian, born in 1561 at Dolbelidr (now known as Ffynonfair) in the parish of Henllan, Denbighshire probably the youngest son of Foulke, third son of Piers Salesbury of Bachymbyd and Rug, a branch of the Salesburys of Llewenny, Denbighshire; John Salisbury (1500?-1573), Welsh Bishop of Sodor and Man, member of the ancient family settled at Llewenny in Denbighshire, whose name was frequently spelt Salesbury or Salusbury; John Salisbury (1575-1625), Jesuit and Welsh scholar, described as a native of Merionethshire, presumably a member of the...
Another 97 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Sallisbury Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Sallisbury family to Ireland

Some of the Sallisbury 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 Sallisbury family

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Sallisbury or a variant listed above: Robert and David Salisbury settled in Virginia in 1654; Roger Salisbury settled in Virginia in 1638; Richard Salisbury settled in Maryland in 1684; William Salisbury settled in Virginia in 1623.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.