Show ContentsTasselere History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Tasselere is thought have originated in Normandy, France where some of the family were part of the invading force during the Norman Conquest. The Domesday Book lists Wymond de Taissel in Bed­fordshire in 1080. 1

But some of the family remained in Normandy as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Richard Tosel or Tossel and Ralph Tossel in Normandy 1180-1195. The same source lists Adeliza, William, Walter de Taissel or Tessel, and the parish of St. German de Tassel, Norm. 1180-1195. 2

Alternatively the name could have been a nickname "from the Hawk [Middle English tassel (l for earlier tercel, Old French t(i)ercel, male hawk; from (with diminutive suff. -el) Old French tierce, tiers, Latin tertius, third]." 3 4

Another source notes that Tessall, Worcestershire may be a source of the name, 5 but this place seems to now be a lost village.

Early Origins of the Tasselere family

The surname Tasselere was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), where Willmund de Taissel was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Years later, William Tasseli was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Sussex in 1206 and Bartholomew Tassel in the Feet of Fines for Surrey 1288-1289. 4

Early History of the Tasselere family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tasselere research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1548 and 1585 are included under the topic Early Tasselere History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tasselere 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 Tassell, Tassel, Taisel, Taisell, Tasell, Tassle and others.

Early Notables of the Tasselere family

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

Migration of the Tasselere 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 Tasselere or a variant listed above: Robert Tassell, who came to Virginia in 1635; John Tassell, who settled in Maryland in 1673; William Tassell, who settled in Maryland in 1673; and George Tassell, who settled in Maryland in 1718..



  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.


Houseofnames.com on Facebook