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Show ContentsDefoy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Early Origins of the Defoy family

The surname Defoy was first found in Suffolk where they held a family seat 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. However, for two centuries after the Battle of Hastings many adventurer knights crossed the Channel and claimed domains in England and Scotland. This family name was found in Suffolk where John LeFoie held domains in 1212. This rare name is derived from St.Foy.

Early History of the Defoy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Defoy research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1327, 1359 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Defoy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Defoy 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 Foy, St.Foy, LeFoy, DelaFoy, DeFoy, LeFoye, Foie and others.

Early Notables of the Defoy family

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

Ireland Migration of the Defoy family to Ireland

Some of the Defoy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Canada Defoy migration to Canada +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. 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 Defoy or a variant listed above:

Defoy Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
  • Louis Defoy, who was married in 1696 in Quebec
Defoy Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Charles Defoy was married in 1718 in St-Augustin
  • Charles De foy, son of Louis and Marie-Charlotte, who married Marie-Angélique Brousseau, daughter of Jean and Anne, in Saint-Augustin, Quebec on 30th May 1718 2
  • Antoine De foy, son of André and Françoise, who married Marie-Anne Chaillé, daughter of Henri and Françoise, in Charlesbourg, Quebec on 23rd August 1723 2
  • Jean-Jérémie De foy, son of François and Marie, who married Marguerite Chappau, daughter of Jean and Madeleine, in Quebec on 30th March 1724 2
  • Jean-François De foy, son of Charles and Marie-Angélique, who married Marie-Jeanne Maurice, daughter of Charles and Catherine, in Montreal, Quebec on 22nd January 1748 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Internoscia, Arthur E., and Claire Chevrier. Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français 1608-1760. Vol. 1, Institut Drouin, 1958.
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