Show ContentsFeltghan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Feltghan was brought to England by the Normans when they conquered the country in 1066. The ancestors of the Feltghan family lived in Middlesex, where they were Lords of the Manor of Feltham.

Early Origins of the Feltghan family

The surname Feltghan was first found in Middlesex at Feltham, today a suburban town in the London Borough of Hounslow, West London. "This place, which is noticed in Domesday Book, is supposed to have been originally called Feldham, signifying 'the field village.' " 1 Actually the parish dates back to Saxon times when in 969 it was known as Feltham. 2

The aforementioned Domesday Book actually lists the parish as Felteham. 3 The lands were originally granted by the Count of Mortaine on behalf of Duke William. They were Lords of the manor of Feltham, and under tenants to the Count, and the name emerged as de Feltham. The manor house and nearly the entire village was rebuilt in 1634 after and accidental fire which also claimed the parish records.

Early History of the Feltghan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feltghan research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1620, 1631 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Feltghan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feltghan Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Feltghan are characterized by many spelling variations. 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. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Feltghan include Fealtham, Feltham, Feltam, Fealtam and others.

Early Notables of the Feltghan family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Owen Feltham (1602-1668), an English writer, author of a book entitled Resolves, Divine, Moral, and Political (c. 1620.) He "was son of Thomas Felltham of Mutford in Suffolk, and of Mary, daughter of John Ufflete of Somerleyton in Suffolk. From a Latin epitaph in the church of...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Feltghan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Feltghan family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Feltghan, or a variant listed above: Thomas Feltham settled in Virginia in 1649; Joseph Feltham arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; In Newfoundland, John Feltham held fishing rights at Pig Island in 1803.



The Feltghan 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: Portanti spolia palma
Motto Translation: The prize is to him that carries off the booty.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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