Show ContentsFrain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Frain family

The surname Frain was first found in Shropshire 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 Frain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frain research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1140, 1172, 1350, 1455, 1487, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Frain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frain Spelling Variations

Frain has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Frayne, Freyne, Frene, Frenye, Freny, Frenney, Frenny, Frennes, Frenes, Frenye, Frain, Frayn, Fraine and many more.

Early Notables of the Frain family

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

Ireland Migration of the Frain family to Ireland

Some of the Frain family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Frain migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Frains to arrive on North American shores:

Frain Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Friedrich Frain, who arrived in America in 1783 [1]
Frain Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Frain, who landed in New York in 1833 [1]
  • Annie Frain, aged 19, who landed in America from Queenstown, in 1892
  • Berhard Frain, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892
  • Henry Frain, aged 40, who settled in America from Ireland, in 1892
  • Bridget Frain, aged 17, who immigrated to the United States, in 1896
Frain Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Abraham Frain, aged 37, who arrived in Baltimore, Maryland in 1904 [1]
  • Lizzie Frain, aged 20, who landed in America, in 1904
  • Mallakay Frain, who settled in America, in 1906
  • Hugh Frain, aged 47, who immigrated to the United States from Glasgow, in 1906
  • James Frain, aged 28, who landed in America from Batley, England, in 1907
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Frain (post 1700) +

  • Todd Leslie Frain (b. 1962), retired American NFL football tight end
  • David Frain (b. 1962), English former professional footballer
  • Peter Frain, retired English professional footballer
  • Andy Frain (b. 1959), English animation producer, founder & managing director of Touchwood Animation Ltd
  • James Dominic Frain (b. 1968), English stage and screen actor
  • John William Frain (b. 1968), retired English professional footballer


  1. 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)


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