Show ContentsFieldan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The present generation of the Fieldan family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the fields having derived from the Old English word feld, which meant field. This is a "well-known Lancashire surname." 1

Early Origins of the Fieldan family

The surname Fieldan was first found in Lancashire at Witton, a township, in the parish, union, and Lower division of the hundred, of Blackburn. "Witton House, an elegant stone edifice, is the seat of Joseph Feilden, Esq.; it is picturesquely situated, and surrounded by a finely-wooded park of 500 acres." 2

Early History of the Fieldan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fieldan research. Another 166 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1567, 1574, 1592, 1594, 1620, 1784, 1811, 1849, 1875 and 1884 are included under the topic Early Fieldan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fieldan 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 Fieldan include Fielden, Feilden, Fieldon, Feildon, Feelden, Feeldon, Pheldon, Phelden and many more.

Early Notables of the Fieldan family

Distinguished members of the family include Randle Feldon or Fielden who died in 1594. John Fielden (1784-1849), M.P. for Oldham, was born 17 Jan. 1784 at Lane Side, Todmorden, where his father, originally a yeoman, had about the time of his birth begun cotton-spinning on a very limited scale. As a boy he worked in his father's factory, and in after years often referred to the exhaustion caused by his daily toil. He was educated sufficiently to become at seventeen a teacher in a Sunday school. His father was a Quaker and a Tory, but Fielden...
Another 95 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fieldan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fieldan 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 Fieldan were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Thomas Fielden settled in New York in 1764; William Fielden arrived in Pennsylvania in 1860.



The Fieldan Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtutis praemuim honor
Motto Translation: Praise is the prize of honor.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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