Frockmorton History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Frockmorton is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in Throckmorton (Throckmorten) in Worcestershire. The village dates back to 1176 when it was first listed as Trochemerton and possibly meant "farmstead by a pool with a beam bridge," from the Old English words "troc" + "mere" + "tun." 1

Early Origins of the Frockmorton family

The surname Frockmorton was first found in Worcestershire at Throckmorton, a chapelry, in the parish of Fladbury, union of Pershore, Middle division of the hundred of Oswaldslow "where John de Trockemerton, the supposed ancestor of this family, was living about the year 1200. From this John descended, after many generations, another 'John Throkmerton,' who was according to Leland, 'the first settler up of his name to any worship in Throckmerton village." 2

Some of the family held estates at Weston-Underwood in Buckinghamshire in early times. " In the parish is an ancient [family] seat, now uninhabited, of the Throckmorton family, who have also a neat Roman Catholic chapel here, with a handsome residence for the priest." 3

Early History of the Frockmorton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frockmorton research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1445, 1450, 1515, 1554, 1571, 1579, 1584, 1606, 1628, 1630, 1656, 1658, 1663, 1664, 1681 and 1682 are included under the topic Early Frockmorton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frockmorton Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Frockmorton are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Frockmorton include: Throckmorton, Throgmortond, Throggmorton and many more.

Early Notables of the Frockmorton family

Notables of the family at this time include Sir John Throckmorton or Throgmorton (d. 1445), Under-Treasurer of England, the son of Thomas Throgmorton of Fladbury, Worcestershire; Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, (c.1515-1571), English diplomat and politician; Francis Throckmorton (1554-1584), nephew of Sir Nicholas and a conspirator against Queen Elizabeth I; Sir William Throckmorton, 1st Baronet of Tortworth (c. 1579-1628); Sir...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Frockmorton Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Frockmorton family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Frockmorton or a variant listed above: John and George Throckmorton settled in Boston in 1631; along with Patience and Rebecca; John Throgmorton settled in Virginia in 1618; two years before the ".

The Frockmorton 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: Virtus sola nobilitas
Motto Translation: Virtue is the only nobility.

Citations +

Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.