The name Ferncown belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having 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
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Early Origins of the Ferncown family
The surname Ferncown 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
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Early History of the Ferncown family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferncown research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ferncown History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Ferncown Spelling Variations
Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Ferncown include Farncombe, Farncomb, Farncorn, Vearncombe and others.
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Early Notables of the Ferncown family
More information is included under the topic Early Ferncown Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the Ferncown family
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Ferncown were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Andrew Farncorn arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773.
England
