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![Show Contents]() Toonley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestry of the name Toonley dates from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. It comes from when the family lived in the settlement of Towneley in the county of Lancashire, or by any clearing in which a farm was situated. The surname Toonley thus belongs to both the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads, and class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. Early Origins of the Toonley familyThe surname Toonley was first found in Lancashire where they were descended from Spartlingus, the first Dean of Whalley about 896 A.D. Descended was Liwlphus, Cudwlphus, Henricus the great Baron of Whalley. He was followed by Robertus, Geoffrey who married the daughter of Roger de Lacy, Constable of Cheshire in 1193. "An estate in Lancashire, which belonged to this ancient and distinguished family, whose pedigree is said to be traced to the time of King Alfred, and to Spartlingus, first Dean of Whalley, who flourished about the year 896. The line of this personage terminated with an heiress, Cecilia of Towneley, in the XIV. century, who married John del Legh, and conveyed the estate to his family. He died in or about 1330, and his great-grandson resumed the ancient surname of Towneley. John del Legh was a cadet of the great Cheshire family of that name. Towneley Hall is still the seat of this race, who may well challenge comparison in point of venerable antiquity with any family in England." 1 Early History of the Toonley familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Toonley research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1375, 1376, 1377, 1531, 1600, 1604, 1629, 1644, 1674, 1683, 1686, 1692, 1697, 1707, 1711, 1737, 1760 and 1782 are included under the topic Early Toonley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Toonley Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Toonley have been found, including Townley, Towneley and others. Early Notables of the Toonley familyNotables of the family at this time include Charles Towneley (1600-1644); and his son, Richard Towneley (1629-1707), an English mathematician and astronomer from Towneley near Burnley, Lancashire who first postulated a theory that Robert Boyle later publish as Boyle's Law, but Boyle referred to as Mr Towneley's hypothesis.
Christopher Towneley (1604-1674), was an English antiquary, called 'the...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Toonley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Toonley family to Ireland
Some of the Toonley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Toonley familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Toonley, or a variant listed above: Henry and Margaret Townley settled in Maryland in 1721; Mary Townley settled in New England in 1756; Patrick and William Townley arrived in Philadelphia in 1834..
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: Tenez le vraye
Motto Translation: Keep or speak the truth.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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England
Ireland
