Vassall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Vassall family

The surname Vassall was first found in Gloucestershire, where Hugo Vassal was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1202. A few years later, the Latin form of the forename Vassallus de Aundfoilliis was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1221 for Rutland. In the same year, Henry Vassal was found in the Assize Rolls of Worcestershire. 1

Originally Norman French, derived from word "vassal," it probably figuratively means "young noble man", "valiant". The name was local to "De Lassales, Hautes-Pyrénées, in the Hautes-Pyrénées department Vassal." 2

Early History of the Vassall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vassall research. Another 110 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1586, 1625, 1628, 1630, 1667 and 1723 are included under the topic Early Vassall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vassall Spelling Variations

Spelling 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 Vassall have been found, including Vassell, Vassel, Fassel and others.

Early Notables of the Vassall family

Notables of the family at this time include

Samuel Vassall (1586-1667), an English parliamentarian, second son of John Vassall, by his second wife, Anna Russell...

Vassall migration to the United States +

Families 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 Vassall, or a variant listed above:

Vassall Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

William Vassall, aged 37 who arrived in New England in 1630 as part of the Winthrop Fleet, he brought his family in 1635. 3
Mr. John Vassall who arrived in New England in 1630 as part of the Winthrop Fleet aboard the "Ambrose" 4
Miss Ann Vassall, aged 6 who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 4
Miss Judith Vassall, aged 16, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 4
Mrs. Ann Vassall, aged 42, who arrived in New England in 1635 aboard the ship "Blessing" 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Vassall Motto +

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: Sæpe pro Rege, semper pro Republica
Motto Translation: Often for the king, always for the state.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dionne, N.-E., Les Canadiens-Francais Origine Des Familles. Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 1969. Print
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm