Contents [hide]

Pheasant History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Ireland United States Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Pheasant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Soon after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, the name Pheasant was recognized on the island as a name for a pheasant, derived from the Middle English word "fesaunt" 1 which in turn was derived from the Old French word "faisain." 2

Not all of the family emigrated to England, as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Radulphus le Paisant in Normandy 1180-1195. 3

Early Origins of the Pheasant family

The surname Pheasant was first found in Sussex where John Falsant was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1166. Later, Thomas Fesaunt was found in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221 and Richard le Feisant, le Falsant was found in Jersey in 1229. In Oxfordshire, Roger Fesant was listed at Oseney in 1241. 1

Again, in Oxfordshire the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Robert Fesuant. The Close Rolls of Edward III included an entry for John ffesaunt. 2 (The use of "ff" was not uncommon at this time.)

Willelmus Faysand was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. In Norfolk, we found William Fesaunt was rector of Wood Rysing, Norfolk in 1380. 4

On the lighter side, one researcher noted that "In England I have heard of a Miss Partridge, who married a Mr. Pheasant, and her sister married a Mr. Partridge. There was some other bird in the family." 5 This researcher postulates "this name, as well as Fesant, Fazan, Fazon, are probably from Lepheasant, near St. Austel, [Cornwall, England.]"

Early History of the Pheasant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Pheasant research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1476, 1510, 1550, 1580, 1600, 1642, 1643, 1649 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Pheasant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pheasant Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Phessant, Pheasant, Pheassant, Phessent, Fessant, Fesant, Fessant, Vessent and many more.

Early Notables of the Pheasant family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Peter Phesant (1580-1649), an English judge, son of Peter Phesant, barrister-at-law, of Gray's Inn. He was born probably...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Pheasant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Pheasant family to Ireland

Some of the Pheasant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Pheasant migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Pheasant or a variant listed above:

Pheasant Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Stephen Pheasant, aged 29, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Hendrick Hudson" in 1842 6
Edwin Pheasant, aged 9, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Hendrick Hudson" in 1842 6
Annie P. Pheasant, aged 15, British settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Esturia" in 1887 6

Pheasant Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

William Pheasant, aged 24, Brazilian settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Tintoretto" in 1906 6
William Pheasant, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States from Brazil, South America, in 1906
Margaret Pheasant, aged 21, French settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Rochambeau" in 1916 6
Margaret Pheasant, aged 21, who settled in America from Paris, France, in 1916
John H. B. Pheasant, aged 27, who landed in America from Oxford, England, in 1919
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Pheasant migration to Australia +

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

Pheasant Settlers in Australia in the 20th Century

Mrs. Pheasant, settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Macedonia" in 1911 7
A. F. Pheasant, settler who arrived in Fremantle, Australia aboard the ship "Strathmore" in 1960 7

Pheasant 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:

Pheasant Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Edward Pheasant, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Portland" in 1864

Contemporary Notables of the name Pheasant (post 1700) +

Thomas Pheasant (b. 1955), American interior designer who owns a design company in Washington, D.C
Edward "Ted" Pheasant (1877-1910), English footballer
Steven Thomas Pheasant (b. 1951), retired English cricketer

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-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)
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)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
National Archives of Australia retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/PassengerListing.aspx