Freestone History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Freestone family

The surname Freestone was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Freestone family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Freestone research. Another 152 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1394, 1415, 1420, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1552 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Freestone History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Freestone Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Freestone are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Freestone include: Freston, Freeston, Freestone, Freeson and others.

Early Notables of the Freestone family

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

Freestone migration to the United States +

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Freestone or a variant listed above:

Freestone Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Henry Freestone, who landed in Virginia in 1652 1

Freestone migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Freestone Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Freestone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harpley" in 1848 2
Ann Freestone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harpley" in 1848 2
William Freestone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harpley" in 1848 2
Alfred Freestone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harpley" in 1848 2
Henry Freestone, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Harpley" in 1848 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Freestone migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Freestone Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Thomas Freestone, aged 40, a blacksmith, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dorette" in 1874 3
Martha Freestone, aged 38, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dorette" in 1874 3
Alice Freestone, aged 18, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dorette" in 1874 3
Thomas Freestone, aged 15, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dorette" in 1874 3
John Freestone, aged 12, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Dorette" in 1874 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Freestone (post 1700) +

Tom Freestone, American Republican politician, Elected Arizona State Senate 30th District 1998 4
James R. Freestone, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 1952 4
V.E. Freestone, English co-founder of Freestone and Webb, English coachbuilders for Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars in 1923
Chris Freestone (b. 1971), retired English football forward
Roger Freestone (b. 1968), former Wales international Goalkeeper

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The HARPLEY 1848 - PASSENGER LIST. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848HarpleyPassengerList.htm
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html