Walt Disney's family circle revolves around a tiny village in Lincolnshire.

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland, California Photo: AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Walt Disney Links to Tiny Village in North Lincolnshire was revealed — a family secret that he honored in his creations.

It turned out that the illustrator's ancestors were partly from the civil parish of Norton Disney, which has a population of 242 people.

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Disney visited the village in 1949 and discovered his family coat of arms on a medieval tomb. He later incorporated it into the flags that flew over Disney's castle.

The village reference can be seen in six of the company's theme parks and has even appeared in the titles of Disney films.< /p>

The connection between Disney and England came into being in preparation for the company's centenary celebrations in 2023.

Evidence has been discovered of Disney visiting the village in 1949 on his way to Scotland with his family to understand why she had his surname.

Disney's visit to Lincolnshire, accompanied by his wife, two daughters and a photographer with a movie camera, resulted in the creation of a home film, which the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco gave the BBC access to celebrating the 100th anniversary.

Figure of Sir William d'Isney in St Peter's Church, Norton Disney, Lynx. Credits: John Robertson

It shows the group posing near village markers, viewing gravestones and walking along the main road.

While there, Walt made an important stop at St Peter's Church, a listed building architecture of the first degree. where is the minister, Rev. R.C. Roper, explained his origin.

Mr Durand said: «This is the oldest place in England where traces of Disney can be found, the history of Walt Disney, his family tree and even his coat of arms.»

The historian said the Vicar told the animator how De Isigny came to England from France with William the Conqueror after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and settled in the area.

In subsequent centuries the family name changed to D'Isigny, then D'Iseny, and finally, around the 13th or 14th centuries, it became Disney.

The family also discovered their coat of arms in the church, which was the 14th-century tomb of Sir William d'Isney. It depicts three lions facing left, a symbol of Normandy.

Mr Durand said Disney introduced the theme park tribute in 1965 to mark Disneyland's 10th anniversary , California.

<р>He explained that Disney wanted to add a coat of arms to Sleeping Beauty Castle, and when asked if there was a Disney coat of arms, he said, «Yes, I remember seeing it at Norton Disney in 1949 when I was in England filming.» Hidden treasures». Island.

Disney reportedly added, “I went to this little town and saw the coat of arms.”

The coat of arms is now reproduced on every Disney castle around the world, and has been since 2006 he has appeared at the beginning of every Disney film. The title shows three lions on a flag flying from the top of a castle.

Another historical connection held in the Lincolnshire archives is the name of the Disneyland estate, signed in a charter of 1386.

Image of Mickey and Minnie Mouse

“The first appearance of the name Disneyland was therefore not in California. in the park or at Disneyland Paris, but here in Lincolnshire over 600 years ago,” Mr Durand said.

For the centenary, Disney gave the village a specially commissioned photograph of Mickey and Minnie Mouse strolling through it . Norton Disney, drawn by company illustrator Kim Raymond.

Mr. Durand said it was impossible to prove whether Walt was 100 percent related to the Norton Disney Disneys, but he said there was «a 99 percent certainty» . cent.»

He said: «We know that the name Disney started in France, continued in England and went to Ireland and then to America, so obviously all the people who bear the name Disney, including Walt Disney, have the same history.»

He added that «no one can trace the direct history for 1000 years except those who belong to the royal family.»