Ffear History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Ffear comes from the ancient Norman culture that was established in Britain after the Conquest of 1066. It was a name for a companion, friend. It derives from the Middle English word "feare," which means "the proud," "the fierce" or "the bold." 1

Early Origins of the Ffear family

The surname Ffear was first found in Middlesex where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D. They were originally descended from Vere from Manche in the arrondisement of Coutances in Normandy, and Aubrey de Vere was an undertenant in Kensington, Middlesex, and two places in Northampton. 2

By the 13th century the family was scattered throughout ancient Britain. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 listed Walter Fere in Oxfordshire and a few years later, Roger le Feer was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327 in Essex. 3

In Somerset, some of the first records were found in Kirby's Quest, 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) William le Fer and Robert le Fere were both listed at that time holding lands there. 4

Early History of the Ffear family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ffear research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ffear History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ffear Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Fear, Fere and others.

Early Notables of the Ffear family

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

Migration of the Ffear family to Ireland

Some of the Ffear family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ffear family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Ffear or a variant listed above were: Samuel Fear who settled in Charles Town, N.C. in 1772; Francis Fear settled in Virginia in 1679; George Fear settled in New England in 1750.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.