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![Show Contents]() Fosshard History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England
Early Origins of the Fosshard familyThe surname Fosshard was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, having prevailed over King Harold, granted most of Britain to his many victorious Barons. It was not uncommon to find a Baron, or a Bishop, with 60 or more Lordships scattered throughout the country. These he gave to his sons, nephews and other junior lines of his family and they became known as under-tenants. They adopted the Norman system of surnames which identified the under-tenant with his holdings so as to distinguish him from the senior stem of the family. After many rebellious wars between his Barons, Duke William, commissioned a census of all England to determine in 1086, settling once and for all, who held which land. He called the census the Domesday Book, 1 indicating that those holders registered would hold the land until the end of time. Hence, conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Doncaster at Nigel and Robert Fossard who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086. Early History of the Fosshard familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fosshard research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fosshard History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Fosshard Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Fosshard include Fossard, Fossart, Fozzard, Fossie, Fossey, Fosser and others. Early Notables of the Fosshard familyMore information is included under the topic Early Fosshard Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Fosshard familyIn England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Fosshards to arrive on North American shores: John Fossey, who came to Jamaica in 1736; Cap Fossey, who arrived in Boston in 1767; Barbara Fossard, who arrived in Baltimore in 1833; and Magdelena Fossard, who arrived in Baltimore in 1833..
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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