Recorded in a number of different spellings including Fursey, Furzey, Fussie, Fussey, Fuzzey, Forsey and possibly others, this is a medieval English surname, of pre 7th century origins. It is residential and possibly locational and describes a person who lived on a farm (leah) surrounded by gorse (fyrs), or from one of the places with "furs" as the prefix such as Fursbrook or Fursdon, both in Devonshire. It in fact in this county in the far west and south coast of England that most early recordings are to be found. The very first is believed to be that of John de la Fursa of Devon in the Pipe Rolls of that county in 1168, whilst a century later John atte Furse is recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of the county of Sussex. Strictly speaking neither of these are hereditary surnames, and the first of these may be that of John Forshay of Dorset, in the Ancient Deeds register for the year 1431. This was in the reign of King Henry V1 of England, 1422 - 1461. The surname is also well recorded in East Yorkshire from the mid 16th century and possibly earlier, and particularly in the villages of Patrington and Nunkeeling. Examples of recordings taken from the authentic church registers for the region include Edward Fussie of Patrington on November 24th 1585, and William Fussye of Nunkeeling, on April 2nd 1662.

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