Joseph Ellis (c. 1734 - c. 1800) was a British writing and map engraver sometimes referred to as John Ellis but according to Worms and Baynton-Williams' British Map Engravers, 'the forename of Joseph seems incontrovertible'. Born in London, in 1749 Ellis apprenticed to Richard William Seale. He married Seale's daughter, Elizabeth Seale, on September 1, 1755. After Richard Seale's death in 1762 Ellis inherited all of Seale's tools. Per Worms and Bayton-Williams, 'His death date remains uncertain, but he was certainly still alive in February 1800, when Thomas Mozeen was apprenticed to him.