Show ContentsFeltham History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Feltham is a name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066. The Feltham family lived in Middlesex, where they were Lords of the Manor of Feltham.

Early Origins of the Feltham family

The surname Feltham 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 Feltham family

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

Feltham 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 Fealtham, Feltham, Feltam, Fealtam and others.

Early Notables of the Feltham 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...

Feltham Ranking

In Newfoundland, Canada, the name Feltham is the 199th most popular surname with an estimated 211 people with that name. [4]


United States Feltham migration to the United States +

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 Feltham or a variant listed above:

Feltham Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Feltham, who settled in Virginia in 1649
Feltham Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Thomas and Abel Feltham, who settled in Deer Island in 1830
  • Joseph Feltham, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846
  • Samuel Feltham was in Silver Hare in 1871
  • Mr. Arthur Feltham, (b. 1870), aged 19, Cornish labourer departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving in New York, USA on 25 February 1889 [5]
  • Clara Feltham, aged 18, who settled in America from London, in 1892
Feltham Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Eatel Feltham, aged 28, who immigrated to America from London, England, in 1910
  • Albert Edward Feltham, aged 21, who landed in America from Borstal, England, in 1912
  • Amy Amelia Feltham, aged 15, who landed in America from London, England, in 1915
  • Beatrice May Feltham, aged 1, who immigrated to the United States from Rochester, England, in 1920
  • Albert Edward Feltham, aged 29, who immigrated to the United States from Rochester, England, in 1920
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Feltham migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Feltham Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Feltham Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Dorcas Feltham, aged 26, who immigrated to St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1916
  • Dorcas Feltham, aged 30, who settled in Pools Harbor, Newfoundland, in 1921
  • Abel Feltham, aged 44, who settled in Clovertown, Newfoundland in 1922
  • Alberta Feltham, aged 27, who immigrated to Twillingate, Newfoundland, in 1923
  • Alpheus Feltham, aged 32, who settled in Bonavista, Newfoundland, in 1923

Australia Feltham migration to Australia +

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

Feltham Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Feltham who was convicted in Dorset, England for life, transported aboard the "Circassian" on 4th November 1832, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [7]
  • Joseph Feltham, aged 22, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Marion" [8]
  • Mr. Joseph Feltham, English convict who was convicted in Dorchester, Dorset, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Equestrian" on 27th August 1852, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Island) [9]

New Zealand Feltham 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:

Feltham Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Rochard Feltham, aged 37, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Seringapatam" in 1856
  • Miss Ada Feltham, Cornish settler departing on 16th November 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 7th February 1875 [10]
  • Mrs. Sarah Feltham, (b. 1850), aged 24, Cornish settler departing on 16th November 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 7th February 1875 [10]
  • Mr. Walter Feltham, (b. 1871), aged 3, Cornish settler departing on 16th November 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 7th February 1875 [10]
  • Mr. William Feltham, (b. 1843), aged 31, Cornish miner departing on 16th November 1874 aboard the ship "Rakaia" arriving in Lyttelton, Canterbury, New Zealand on 7th February 1875 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Feltham (post 1700) +

  • Christopher Glen Feltham (b. 1972), Australian-born, former English cricketer who played from Staffordshire (1996-1997)
  • John Feltham (1780-1813), English travel writer
  • Walter George Feltham (1864-1904), English cricketer who played for Hampshire in 1884
  • Mark Feltham (b. 1955), English musician, member of the British rhythm and blues band Nine Below Zero
  • Terence Stanley Crathern Feltham (1896-1971), Chief Architect in the Public Works Department of Hong Kong
  • Oliver Feltham, Australian philosopher and translator working in Paris
  • Aaron Feltham (b. 1982), Canadian silver and bronze medalist water polo player
  • Gerald A. Feltham (b. 1938), Canadian accounting researcher and educator, Professor Emeritus at the Sauder School of Business at University of British Columbia
  • Louise Feltham (b. 1935), Newfoundland-born, Canadian politician, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, Alberta (1988-1993)
  • Lex Feltham, Australian musician, former member of Frenzal Rhomb
  • ... (Another 3 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

RMS Titanic
SS Caribou
  • Mr. Richard Feltham (b. 1904), Newfoundland crew member from Channel-Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador was travelling aboard the railway ferry "SS Caribou" when it was struck by a German submarine torpedo on 14th October 1942, the most significant sinking in Canadian waters at that time, he died in the sinking


The Feltham 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)
  4. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  5. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  6. Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
  7. Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 8th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/circassian
  8. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) MARION 1851 - HER HISTORY. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Marion.htm
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/equestrian
  10. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to Lyttelton 1858-84 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/new_zealand_assisted.pdf
  11. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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