Freston History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Freston family

The surname Freston was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that shire.

Early History of the Freston family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Freston research. Another 152 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1394, 1415, 1420, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1552 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Freston History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Freston Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Freston were recorded, including Freston, Freeston, Freestone, Freeson and others.

Early Notables of the Freston family

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

Migration of the Freston family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Freston family emigrate to North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Contemporary Notables of the name Freston (post 1700) +

Thomas E Freston (b. 1945), American television executive most recently serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the newly-split Viacom, until his resignation on September 5, 2006
Tom Freston (b. 1945), American Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, MTV Networks
Anthony Freston (1757-1819), English divine, son of Robert Brettingham of Norwich, and nephew of Matthew Brettingham, as a child Anthony took the name of Freston, in pursuance of the will of his maternal uncle, William Freston of Mendham, who died in 1761