William Kysbie died in April 1588.

In the early 1500's [Paul Gisby] was a Choirboy at Westminster and then went to Oxford, All Souls, where he took a BA by the time he was 16 years old, then went on to take more degrees and finally to become the head of the whole University, as Chancellor (which I think was denoted by the Roman title Procular in those times). I had traced reference to a stone memorial in All Souls College and wrote to the Bodleian Library seeking more information... His background was described as "Pleb" and his parents names were not given...
Incidentally the "G" sound in Latin, as in German, is pronounced (at Oxford, at least) with a soft "k" sounding inflexion, hence some notes using K or G to start the surname...

(info provided by Ronald Caseby)

Robert Kisbey was born c.1559, son of William Kysbie and possibly brother of Paul Kysbye. Robert was a graduate of Oxford University and became one of the principle Burgesses of the market town of Abingdon, Berkshire, England. He also became Vicar of St Helen's Church and Governor of Christ's Hospital.

Robert left Abingdon with his family in 1624. He may have left for America, to evangelicise Indians in the Delaware area. He possibly died en route!

(Thankyou Roger Caseby for that last bit)

Samuel Kisby was probably a waggoner on the Great North Road in Cambridgeshire, England. This route was a major artery for trade and the waggoners were the C18th equivalent of truck-drivers. Samuel took advantage of the busy route, renting a plot and setting up (circa 1770) a wayside stopping point for waggoners to sleep and refresh themselves. It became known as "KISBY'S HUT". The business expanded and a public house of the same name existed on the spot for over 230 years!

Samuel married Sarah BULL. They had two daughters, Rebekah and Sara. Samuel's wife died in 1784 and Samuel died in 1797.

James Kisbee (1734-1819) of Barnwell, Northamptonshire was a servant of Mary the Duchess of Montagu who in her will left him £40 per year for life - this enabled him to become a Gentleman. James was a personal friend of the C18th black writer Ignatius Sancho (who was butler to the Duchess) and is mentioned in the book "Letters of Ignatius Sancho, an African" edited by Victor Caretta (1998).

(From info provided by Judith Kisbee)

John Kisby was twice mayor of the town of Godmanchester in Huntingdonshire, England, in 1839 and 1841. He was also town bailiff in 1822, 1829 and 1833. By the 1850's John Kisby was an alderman.

John is believed to have been a wealthy farmer in the area, who was born in nearby Pidley circa 1784 and died at a ripe age in 1867. His father and son were also called John Kisby.

Interestingly, the mayor of Godmanchester a century later,in 1946, was called Arthur Kisby. No wonder there is a residential street there called Kisby Avenue!

To enter a country so wild, and engage in its settlement, implied not only a willing heart, but the ability to do and to dare.
From 'History of Mills County' (1881)

Much praise is deserved for the hard work of Cay Merriman and the Iowa Genweb Project - view their Mills County records.

13 year old golfer Tom Kisby, from Harlow, Essex ENGLAND was named 'British Junior Golf Tour Player of the Year 2008' and awarded 'Order of Merit' for the 2007/8 winter series. Apparently Tom has always come either first or second in his age group on every course he has played!

See press article published in the Harlow Star

A small settlement (with a Viking name!) in the rolling uplands of south Lincolnshire, England. Keisby is believed to be the origin of the English surname Kisby and therefore most of the world's Kisby's (certainly the native English speaking ones). The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 and was known at the time as Chisebi, or Kisebi.

These days Keisby consists of a small number of houses and farms. It also boasts a 'Keisby House' and a 'Keisby Cottage' ...and its own lake.

For more information and photographs see the KISBY SURNAME ORIGINS page.