Tortashell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Tortashell reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Tortashell family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Tortashell family lived in Lincolnshire, in the parish of Tattersall (Tattershall.)

Early Origins of the Tortashell family

The surname Tortashell was first found in Lincolnshire where William the Conqueror bestowed this and other lands upon one of his followers called Eudo, from whom descended Robert de Tateshall, who built Tattershall castle, and whose son was created Baron Tateshall in 1295. 1 2 Another source has a slightly different timeline: "This place was a Roman military post, as two encampments at Tattershall Park in its immediate neighbourhood indicate; and was granted at the Conquest to Eudo, one of William's followers, whose descendants erected a castle about 1440, south-westward from the town. The fortress stood on a moor, and was surrounded by two fosses, which received the waters of the Bain; the principal part was demolished during the parliamentary war. " 3 The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the place as Tateshale. 4

Early History of the Tortashell family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tortashell research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1295, 1724 and 1795 are included under the topic Early Tortashell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tortashell Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Tortashell include Tattersall, Tattershall, Tateshall, Tatersall, Tatershall, Tatteshall, Tetstall and many more.

Early Notables of the Tortashell family

Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tortashell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Tortashell family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Tortashells to arrive on North American shores: Richard Tattersall who settled in New Jersey in 1677 with his wife and children; James Tattershell settled in Virginia in 1727; Christopher Tattersall settled in Savannah, Georgia in 1820..

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)