Show ContentsFreane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Freane family lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Freane was a name given to a person who was considered to be very good-natured and neighborly. The surname is derived from the Old English word frend which meant friend. During the Middle Ages people would use this word when they referred to their relatives or their kinsmen.

Early Origins of the Freane family

The surname Freane was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Freane family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Freane research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1667, 1669, 1675, 1683, 1696, 1714, 1715, 1728, 1745, 1751, 1754 and 1766 are included under the topic Early Freane History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Freane Spelling Variations

Freane has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Freane have been found, including Friend, Freind, Frend and others.

Early Notables of the Freane family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir John Friend (Freind) (died 1696), was an English conspirator arraigned for high treason at the Old Bailey, 23 March 1696, denied the assistance of counsel and executed at Tyburn 3 April 1696. 1 John Freind (1675-1728), was an English physician and politician, a younger brother of Robert Freind, born at Croton (or Croughton), near Brackley in Northamptonshire, of which place his father, William Freind...
Another 72 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Freane Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Freane family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Freanes to arrive on North American shores: John Friend who settled in New England in 1640; Rowland and Susannah Friend settled in New England in 1733; Charles, George, Henry, Jacob, Martin, Norman and William Friend all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..



  1. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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