Ismay

The name Ismay is believed to have originated from the Old English words "is" meaning ice and "mæge" meaning maiden or kinswoman. It may have been used as a descriptive name for a person with a cool or icy disposition or potentially as a reference to a particularly harsh winter around the time of their birth.

One of the earliest known bearers of the name was Ismay of Bayeux, a 12th century noblewoman from Normandy who is mentioned in records from the year 1183. Later historical references include Ismay de Bayonne, a French scholar and book collector who lived in the late 13th century.

In England, the name Ismay appears in parish records from various regions starting in the 16th century. One early example is Ismay Poulton, born in 1542 in Yorkshire. During the 17th century, the name was particularly prevalent in Lancashire and the surrounding areas.

Historically, the name Ismay has been predominantly found among families of English gentry and nobility. Notable individuals include Sir Ismay Selby (1617-1672), an English landowner and Member of Parliament, and Ismay Scrope (1648-1723), a courtier who served as a lady-in-waiting to Queen Mary II.

In more recent times, one of the most famous bearers of the name was Joseph Bruce Ismay (1862-1937), the English businessman who was the chairman of the White Star Line shipping company and survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. His actions during the disaster were controversial and he was heavily criticized for his perceived cowardice in taking a place on one of the lifeboats while many passengers remained on board.

Other individuals named Ismay include Ismay Brown (1920-2021), a British author and biographer, and Ismay Ilse-Hay (1876-1954), a Canadian painter and educator who was a pioneer of modern art in Western Canada.