Versey

This is said to be an original surname from the famous Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Recorded in a number of related spellings as shown below, it is now regarded as English surname, but in origin is definately French. It is either locational from a place in Normandy called Vesci, or is a medieval nickname. If so it is from the pre 7th century French word envoisier, meaning "to enjoy oneself". Surnames from nicknames are one of the largest groupings, but given the robust humour of the period, it is also likely that in some cases the surname described a person who was the very opposite of joyful! Early examples which are clearly locational include Willelmus de Vesci in the Pipe Rolls of the city of London in the year 1161, whilst Richard de Vescy appears in the rolls of the Hundred Rolls of the city of York in 1273. The known modern spellings of the surname include Vaisey, Vasey, Veasy, Veysey, Vezey, Voisey, Varzey, Varsey, Versey, Versy, Verzey, Feasey, Feesey, Phaisey, Pheazey, and Lenfestey. Amongst the later examples are Francis Versy, a christening witness at St Giles Cripplegate, in the city of London, on January 5th 1595, James Voysey of Devonshire a student in the register of Oxford University in 1602, and Augustine Veasey, christened on July 11th 1678, also at St. Giles Cripplegate. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Thomas le Envaiset. This was dated 1150, in the chartulary of the abbey of Rievaulx, Yorkshire. This was during the reign of King Stephen of England, 1135 - 1154. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.