Show ContentsFencourte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Fencourte family

The surname Fencourte was first found in Oxfordshire at Fencott (Fencot), a hamlet in the parish of Charltonupon-Otmore, union of Bicester, hundred of Ploughley. Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Fencote, held by the Abbess of Fencote from the King, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Fencott and Murcott is a civil parish about 4 miles (6 km) south of Bicester in the Cherwell district of Oxfordshire.

Early History of the Fencourte family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fencourte research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1347 and 1352 are included under the topic Early Fencourte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fencourte Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Fencote, Fencot, Fencott, Fencourt, Fencourte, Fencord and many more.

Early Notables of the Fencourte family

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

Migration of the Fencourte family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Fencourte or a variant listed above: John Fencott, who came to Maryland or Virginia in 1666; and Ann Fencott, who came to Maryland in 1667.



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