Show ContentsFraud History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Fraud surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived as dwellers at the bay or wide valley. The surname Fraud was primarily located at Chapel-le-Frith, a market-town and parish, and the head of a union, in the hundred of High Peakin in Derbyshire. 1

The town dates back to 1272, when it was known as Capella de la Firth, and meant "chapel in the sparse woodland." 2

Early Origins of the Fraud family

The surname Fraud was first found in Derbyshire at Chapel-En-Le-Frith. One of the first records of the family was Wlimar Frith who appeared in the Pipe Rolls for Kent in 1195. A few years later, John del Frith was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Norfolk in 1201 and later, William in the Frith was listed in Essex in 1276. 3

Richard de la Fryth, was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Norfolk. 4

Early History of the Fraud family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fraud research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1317, 1503, 1533, 1584, 1659, 1699, 1700 and 1941 are included under the topic Early Fraud History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraud Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Fraud include Frith, Fryth, Firkin and others.

Early Notables of the Fraud family

Notables of the family at this time include Richard le Frith; Mary Frith or Moll Cutpurse (c.1584-1659), a notorious pickpocket and fence of the English underworld; and John Frith or Fryth (1503-1533)...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fraud Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Fraud family to Ireland

Some of the Fraud family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fraud family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Richard Frith, who came to Virginia in 1606; Thomas Frith who settled in Virginia in 1635; also Robert Frith who also settled in Virginia in 1635; Sarah Frith, who arrived in Barbados in 1678..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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