The
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Feesey family, who lived in
Northampton. The name, however, derives from the family's place of residence prior to the
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066,
Vassy, Normandy. One of the first records of the name was Robertus Invesiatus, Lascivus which appeared in the
Domesday Book [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8) in
Essex [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X). Other records show the name was originally De Vesci, which was a baronial name, a branch of the De Burgh family.
Early Origins of the Feesey family
The surname Feesey was first found in
Northampton where Robert de Vassy (Veci) and his brother Ivo were granted nineteen Lordships in that county and overlapping into Warwick, Lincoln, and Leicester, by Duke William of
Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. Ivo (John) won the hand of Alda, daughter of Gilbert, Lord of Alnwick in
Northumberland and the family claim considerable prominence as the Lords of Vesey from which Lords Fitzgerald and Vesei claim descent.
Early History of the Feesey family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feesey research.
Another 407 words (29 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1313, 1500, 1589, 1661, 1462, 1554, 1674 and 1746 are included under the topic Early Feesey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Feesey Spelling Variations
A multitude of
spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to
England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Feasey, Feasy, Fessey, Fassey, Fessys, Fressis, Veasey, Vassey, Vassy, Vesci, Vezey, Vezay, Vesey, Vessey and many more.
Early Notables of the Feesey family (pre 1700)
Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Feesey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Feesey family to Ireland
Some of the Feesey 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.
Migration of the Feesey family to the New World and Oceana
Many English families left
England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Feesey or a variant listed above: Andrew Veasey settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876; William Veazie settled in Massachusetts in 1640; Nathaniel Feazey settled in Somers Islands in 1662.
The Feesey Motto
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Sub hoc signo vinces
Motto Translation: Under this sign we shall conquer.