Ffetiplace History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Ffetiplace is of local origin originally found in Oxfordshire and Nottinghamshire. The original Fettiplace is said to have been Gentleman-usher to William the Conqueror.

Early Origins of the Ffetiplace family

The surname Ffetiplace was first found in Oxfordshire where one of the earliest records was of Adam Feteplace, Mayor of Oxford in 1245. A Walter Feteplece was also recorded around the same time in that area. Sir Phillip Fettiplace (1220-1302), purchased the manor of North Denchworth from Ralph de Cameys in 1263.

Thomas Faiteplace was listed in Oxfordshire in 1210 and Robert Fetesplace was listed in the Assize Rolls of Bedfordshire in 1227. "A especially Oxford name, borne by a 14th century mayor." 1

The name was also most numerous in Swinbrook, where the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Swinbrook, held by Geoffrey who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. The Church of England parish church of Saint Mary in Swinbrook dates from about 1200 and is noted for its 17th century Fettiplace monuments.

There is a distinct branch of the family found in Nottinghamshire from very early times. Another branch of the family was found at Besselsliegh in Berkshire. "It takes its name from the ancient family of Bessels, an heiress of which conveyed the estate by marriage to the Fettyplaces; and Sir Edmund Fettyplace sold it, about 1620, to Wm. Lenthall, master of the rolls, and speaker of the house of commons in the Long parliament." 2

Of particular interest is Elinor Fettiplace (née Poole) (c. 1570-c. 1647.) She wrote Elinor Fettiplace's Receipt Book in 1604. Hilary Spurling, the wife of a descendant of Fettiplace first published the book in 1986 and today it gives an interesting and quaint compilation of recipes that were typical of the Elizabethan household life.

Early History of the Ffetiplace family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ffetiplace research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1095, 1273, 1397, 1412, 1442, 1480, 1495, 1504, 1539, 1549, 1556, 1557, 1568, 1575, 1577, 1583, 1601, 1603, 1623, 1626, 1629, 1640, 1644, 1654, 1658, 1661, 1662, 1668, 1672, 1707, 1713, 1725 and 1743 are included under the topic Early Ffetiplace History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ffetiplace 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 Fettiplace, Fetiplace, Feteplace, Ffetiplace, Phetiplace, Phetteplace and many more.

Early Notables of the Ffetiplace family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Fettiplace (c. 1495-1549), Justice of the Peace for Berks and in 1539, he was one of those appointed to receive Her Grace, Anne of Cleves, on her arrival in England from Dusseldorf; Sir John Fettiplace, Sheriff of Berkshire (1568-1577); and John Fettiplace (1583-1658), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Berkshire (1626-1629), Member of Parliament for Berkshire (1640-1644), supported the Royalist cause in the English Civil War. The Fettiplace Baronetcy, of Childrey in the...
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ffetiplace Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ffetiplace 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 Ffetiplace or a variant listed above: Gyles Fettyplace, who arrived in Virginia in 1663; and Thomas Fettplace who arrived in Maryland in 1653.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.