Frech Surname HistoryThe distinguished English surname Frech is thought to be derived from the Old English word "firhpe," meaning "frith, wood, woodland." Alternatively, it may be related to the Old English "freca," meaning "man, warrior." Early Origins of the Frech familyThe surname Frech was first found in Somerset, where the Frech family was anciently seated as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Breham, held by William de Mohun, a Norman Baron, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. The village held 2 Mills, 300 sheep and 22 wild mares. Early History of the Frech familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frech research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1516, 1591, 1603, 1675, 1688, 1692, 1693, 1694, 1695, 1699, 1703, 1707, 1717, 1756, 1797, 1848 and 1920 are included under the topic Early Frech History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Frech Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: Freake, Freke, Freyke, Freche, Frech, Fryke, Freek, Freak, Frake and many more. Early Notables of the Frech familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Edmund Freke (also spelled Freake or Freak; c. 1516-1591), an English dean and bishop; John Freke (1688-1756), an English surgeon who... Migration of the Frech family to IrelandSome of the Frech family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Frech Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
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