Sele

The surname SELE originated in the region of Normandy, France during the Middle Ages. It is believed to have derived from the Old French word "sele," meaning a saddle or seat. This suggests that the name may have been an occupational name for someone who made or sold saddles.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, a comprehensive survey of landowners and their holdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name appears as "Sele," likely referring to a Norman landowner or tenant.

In the 12th century, a notable individual bearing this name was Roger de Sele, a knight who accompanied Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) on the Third Crusade to the Holy Land between 1189 and 1192. Roger de Sele was mentioned in contemporary chronicles for his bravery in battle.

During the 13th century, the name SELE was also present in England, as evidenced by the appearance of Walter de Sele in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1230. The Pipe Rolls were a collection of financial records maintained by the English Exchequer.

In the 14th century, the SELE surname was associated with a prominent family in the county of Sussex, England. John Sele, born around 1320, was a landowner and member of the local gentry. His descendants continued to hold lands in Sussex for several generations.

Another noteworthy individual with this surname was William Sele, an English scholar and cleric born in the late 15th century. He studied at the University of Oxford and later became a canon of the prestigious Cathedral Church of York.

Throughout history, variations of the SELE surname have included Seale, Seale, Seel, and Seal. These alternative spellings likely arose due to regional dialects and the evolution of the English language over time.