- Still Under Construction
- Bailey Family New Zealand
- Our Origins
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The origin of our
particular family of Bailey is the Southwest of England and in particular the counties of
Devon and Somerset. There the surname Bailey, or variants, is common along the main travel
route, now the M5 motorway, from Bridgwater to the north near the Bristol Channel through
the lush Vale of Taunton Deane and down the Culm River to Exeter, approximately 60km to
the south. In particular, it is suspected, our ancestors lived between Taunton, in
Somerset, and Cullompton, in Devon. (Click on map for larger image) |
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| The distribution of Baileys along the route from Bridgwater to Exeter, would suggest the appointment by the Normans of bailliffs in each town or village that had been established under their rule. While the name taken by descendants became common, there is little chance that Baileys of one area were related to Baileys of another and until recent centuries when people travelled on a larger scale, one could probably trace one's line of Bailey with a degree of accuracy to a certain area. | |||||||||||||||||