My Family Tree So Far...
The Vyse family name is uncommon in the UK. My father came from Cheshire & his father came from a large family in the Staffordshire area. Early Census records show a lot of Vyses in the Stafordshire area.
There are a number of variations on the origin of the Vyse name, but according to genealogy books in Sheffield city library, the name goes back to a 'John de la Vise' who came to England in 1227.
He was a friend of the King of England who gave him land around the town now known as Devises in Wiltshire.
The more accepted origin seems to be that it's an old English name which stems from the old French word for a boundary, 'devise'.
In the middle ages people often took their surname from the place where they lived & derivations such as Vise, Vize, Vyce, & Vice were used by people living near important boundaries.
Boundaries often followed rivers & people living where a river divides could have taken the name as well.
If there are any other Vyse's out there in cyberspace, I would be interested in hearing from you so please feel free to email me.
