Feltoom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The origins of the Feltoom name lie with England's ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It comes from when the family lived in Felton, a place-name found in many locations throughout England. There are places named Felton in Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Northumberland, and Shropshire. Further research showed the name was derived from the Old English elements feld, which means field, and tun, which meant enclosure or farm, and later fort or town. It would have translated as "farm or village in open country." 1

Early Origins of the Feltoom family

The surname Feltoom was first found in Norfolk where "the village [of Litcham], which is large, consisting of several streets, had formerly a market and some annual fairs, granted by Edward I. to Robert de Felton." 2

In Whitchurch, or Felton, Somerset, "the name Filton, or Felton, is derived from a very old town situated to the north-west of the present village, in a forest or chace once called Filwood: a church having been erected on the site of an ancient chapel dedicated to St. White." 2

Accordingly, the name was frequented in other areas of ancient Britain about the same time. John de Feltone was found in Nottinghamshire, 30 Edward I (in the 30th year's reign of Edward I); and William de Feltone was listed in Northumberland. William de Felton was rector of St. Mary Magdalen, Warham, Norfolk in 1349. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 list Johannes de Felton. 3

Sir Thomas Felton (d. 1381), was "Seneschal of Aquitaine, the second son of Sir John Felton, Governor of Alnwick in 1314, who was summoned to Parliament in 1342, and was Lord of the Manor of Litcham, Norfolk. Sir John's father, Sir Robert, Governor of Scarborough Castle in 1311, was slain at Stirling in 1314. " 4

Sir William Felton (d. 1367), was "Seneschal of Poitou, the son of Sir William Felton of Northumberland, who died about 1358, by his first wife. He was descended in the fourth generation from Roger or Robert Fitz-Pagan or Felton, brother of the William Fitz-Pagan who was ancestor of Sir Thomas Felton." 4

The parish of Felton in Northumberland is named after this latter family. "King John caused a village here to be burnt, in 1216, as a punishment to the barons of Northumberland, who had done honour on the spot to Alexander, King of Scotland. " 2

Early History of the Feltoom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feltoom research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1313, 1430, 1556, 1570, 1595, 1619, 1626, 1628, 1656, 1660, 1690, 1713, 1769 and 1886 are included under the topic Early Feltoom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feltoom Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Feltoom were recorded, including Felton, Feltone and others.

Early Notables of the Feltoom family

Notables of the family at this time include John Felton (fl. 1430), English divine, Fellow of St. Mary Magdalen College, Oxford, and professor of theology, and 'vicarius Magdalensis Oxonii extra muros.' Blessed John Felton (died 1570) was an English Catholic martyr, executed during the reign of Elizabeth I. He "was descended from an ancient family in Norfolk. He was a gentleman of large property, and resided at Bermondsey Abbey, near Southwark, Surrey. His wife had been maid of honour to Queen Mary, who just before her death recommended her to Queen Elizabeth. Indeed, Elizabeth held her in great respect, for they...
Another 208 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Feltoom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Feltoom family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Feltoom family emigrate to North America: Andrew Felton who settled in Virginia in 1651; Benjamin Felton settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; John Felton settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, children and servants.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print