Feathers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Feathers is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a person who was a buyer or seller of feathers, having derived from the Old English word "feder," meaning "feather." 1

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae records Reinfrid and Osmund le Feutrier of Normandy 1195 and that the name was derived from Le Feutrier. 2

Early Origins of the Feathers family

The surname Feathers was first found in Sussex where Juliana la Fethere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296. A few years later, Adam ffethir was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 listed Amald le Fader, Wiltshire; and Richard le Fader, Oxfordshire. 3

In Somerset, Robert Fader was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 4

Early History of the Feathers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feathers research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1282, 1304 and 1544 are included under the topic Early Feathers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feathers Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Feathers were recorded, including Feathers, Feather, Fether, Fedder, Feder and others.

Early Notables of the Feathers family

More information is included under the topic Early Feathers Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feathers Ranking

In the United States, the name Feathers is the 10,088^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Feathers family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Feathers arrived in North America very early: John Fether, aged 28, who arrived at Ellis Island from Somerset, England, in 1907; Alice Feather, aged 25, who arrived at Ellis Island from Bingley, England, in 1906.

The Feathers Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Valens et volens
Motto Translation: Able and willing

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/