Contents [hide]

Saylor History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Sources

Saylor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Saylor

What does the name Saylor mean?

The surname Saylor is derived from the Old Norman French word "sailleor," which denotes a "leaper" or "dancer." Thus the name was most likely originally born by someone whose occupation was that of a dancer or entertainer.

Early Origins of the Saylor family

The surname Saylor was first found in Yorkshire where Herbert le Sayllur was on record in "Early Yorkshire Charters" dating from 1191 to 1210. "The surname is very rare indeed. This is not a little singular, considering the commonness of the employment. In the Hundredorum Rolls we have it in the forms of Le Sailliur, Le Saylliur, and Le Saler." 1

Early History of the Saylor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Saylor research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1275, 1327 and 1790 are included under the topic Early Saylor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saylor Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Saylor, Sayler, Saylur, Sailor, Sailer and others.

Early Notables of the Saylor family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Saylor of Suffolk

Saylor Ranking

In the United States, the name Saylor is the 2,392^nd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Saylor family to Ireland

Some of the Saylor family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Saylor migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Saylor or a variant listed above:

Saylor Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Arthur Saylor, who landed in Virginia in 1642 3
Robert Saylor, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682 3

Saylor Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Henry Saylor, who arrived in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania in 1767
John Saylor, aged 21, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1777 3

Saylor Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

George Saylor, aged 27, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Merchant" in 1822 4
Frederick Saylor, aged 2, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Talbot" in 1840 4
Thomas Saylor, aged 27, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Talbot" in 1840 4
Isaac Saylor, aged 6, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Glenview" in 1841 4
George I. Saylor, aged 8, Irish settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Glenview" in 1841 4
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Saylor Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Dora B. Saylor, aged 36, who landed in America, in 1904
Henry D. Saylor, aged 42, who immigrated to America, in 1904
Gertrude Saylor, aged 30, who landed in America from London, in 1905
Elmyra Saylor, aged 65, who settled in America, in 1905
Charles Saylor, aged 67, who landed in America, in 1905
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Saylor migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Saylor Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Mary Saylor, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Otway" in 1909 5
S. Saylor, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Otway" in 1909 5
W. Saylor, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Otway" in 1909 5
E. Saylor, British settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Gothic" in 1913 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Saylor (post 1700) +

Bruce Saylor (b. 1946), American composer
Lynn Carey Saylor, American singer, guitarist and composer
O. Webster Saylor, American head college football coach for the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats in the 1916 season
Debra Saylor (b. 1962), American pianist, classical singer and voice instructor
Thomas G. Saylor, American Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
Everett Saylor (1909-1942), American racecar driver
Frank Dennis Saylor IV (b. 1955), United States federal judge
Katie Saylor (b. 1951), former American actress, best known for The Fantastic Journey (1977), Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973) and Men of the Dragon (1974)
Connie Saylor (1940-1993), American NASCAR racecar driver
Morgan Saylor (b. 1994), American Screen Actors Guild Award nominated actress for "Homeland" (2011)
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Saylor 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: Who most has served is greatest

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)
Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Records of Australia retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au