Surname Silsbury - Meaning and Origin
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Silsbury: What does the surname Silsbury mean?
The last name Silsbury is believed to be derived from a location, specifically the English county of Wiltshire. The name is likely an Anglicizational of the place name derived from the Old English given name Sigel, combined with the word "burh", which means fortification. It is possible that the name originates from a location near the town of Salisbury, which is known as Sigel’s Burh in Old English.
Silsbury is a fairly common surname in the United Kingdom, especially in Wiltshire, which is historically associated with the nobility. Records show, for example, that a family of the same name existed in the county of Somerset, in the late 16 th century, and that a Roger Silsbury served as High Sheriff of Wiltshire in 1578. Notable people with this surname include the Wiltshire-born pilot Sir Michael Anthony Selway Silsbury, who was knighted in 1976 for his services to aviation.
The modern spelling of the name is reflective of the phonetic pronunciation of the Old English version. The contemporary spelling generally denotes an ancestral connection to Silsbury, Wiltshire, although this may not necessarily reflect any proximity relationship. Regardless, the name and its many variations embody the legacy of the English county, and convey a connection to its history and the achievements of its citizens.
Order DNA origin analysisSilsbury: Where does the name Silsbury come from?
Today, the last name Silsbury is common in many parts of the United States, particularly in the Southeast, New England and the Midwest. Significant numbers of Silsburys also exist in Canada, particularly in the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Ontario. The largest concentration of Silsburys in the United States can be found in Texas, followed by Pennsylvania, Georgia, and West Virginia. The history of the Silsbury name is largely unknown, but it might be connected to the Saxon settlement of England. The earliest record of the family name is that of John Silsbury, who was recorded in the County Dorset in the year 1273.
In the United States, most Silsburys have traditionally identified as Protestant Christians. There are significant numbers of the family name found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Devon, England, where many of the ancient Silsbury family estates can still be found. In Great Britain, the Silsbury name has experienced various changes, but retains its basic spellings of Silsbury or Silsberry. The name is also common in Australia, particularly in the state of Queensland. Overall, the Silsbury name is thought to have originated from the village of Silsbury in West Yorkshire, England. This village is still home to many Silsburys today.
Variations of the surname Silsbury
The surname Silsbury is a habitational surname derived from various places in England boasting the same name. These places include Salisbury (now Silbury) in Wiltshire and Silsbury Hill in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
Variants of the surname Silsbury include Salusbury, Sarrsbury and Saussbury to name a few. Spellings of the surname include Selsberry, Selsbry, Sellsbry, and Silsbry.
Salisbury (now Silbury) was mentioned in the Domesday Book as "Sariseberie, assembling the words for 'fortress' and 'stronghold' in Old English.
Other variations of Silsbury include Salusbury, Salisbury, Selsbury, Sealsbury, Seusbury, Susbury, Silesburry, Silisbury, Sillseburry, Silbberry, Sillsberry, Silesbyry, and even Salsbury.
Some of the more popular surnames of this origin are Sellersberry, Sellesbure, Selsbur, Selesbury, Sellersbury, Selseberry, Salusberry, and Salisbury. These can be further broken down into various derivatives such as Sellersburry, Selsburg, Sillsburry, Sallsburry, Selsberry, and Salusburg.
Silsbury is a name with a long and fascinating history that has provided many variations over the centuries. Although its usage is not common today, those of us who bear the name proudly wear it with ancestor's rich history.
Famous people with the name Silsbury
- Dave Silsbury: retired professional footballer who played for clubs such as Portsmouth F.C., Reading F.C., and Exeter City F.C.
- Chris Silsbury: professional wrestler with the stage name The Mighty Yukon. He is known for his performances with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
- Harry Silsbury: former English rugby union player who represented England at international level.
- Alex Silsbury: professional rugby player who currently plays for Newcastle Falcons in the English Premiership.
- Gareth Silsbury: professional rugby union player who has represented clubs such as Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons.
- William Silsbury: former English cricketer who played for Lancashire County Cricket Club and represented England at the international level.
- John Silsbury: former English rugby union player who represented England at international level.
- Judith Silsbury: professional tennis player who has represented England at the international and ITF level.
- Jackie Silsbury: professional squash player who has represented England at junior and professional level.
- Isobel Silsbury: former English footballer who represented England at international level and played in the English Premier League for clubs such as Southampton F.C. and Tottenham Hotspur F.C.