Ferncoombe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Ferncoombe is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is a product of when the family lived in Farncombe, in Surrey. The place-name Farncombe was listed in the Domesday Book as Fernecome was held by the Bishop of Bayeux. This name is derived from the Old English elements fearn, which was the word for fern, and combe, a word for a valley. 1

Early Origins of the Ferncoombe family

The surname Ferncoombe was first found in Surrey at Farncombe, a village that is today part of the Borough of Waverley. The village dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it was listed as Ferncome and literally meant "valley where ferns grow" from the Old English words "fern" + "cumb" 1

At that time, it was part of the Godalming hundred, lands held by the Bishop of Bayeux, had land enough for two ploughs and had 15 acres of meadows. There was also a manor there at the time. 2

One of the first records of the family was Robert de Ferncumb who was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 3

Early History of the Ferncoombe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferncoombe research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ferncoombe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferncoombe Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Ferncoombe has been spelled many different ways, including Farncombe, Farncomb, Farncorn, Vearncombe and others.

Early Notables of the Ferncoombe family

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

Migration of the Ferncoombe family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Ferncoombes to arrive in North America: Andrew Farncorn arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)