![Show Contents]() Furind History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The Furind surname, of Norman ancestry, was a name given to a person with gray hair, or who habitually dressed in gray. Checking further we found the name was derived from the Old French word, ferrant, which means gray (a reference to the color of iron). Another derivation suggests that the name is a corruption of Ferrant, the Old French form of Ferdinand. Time has confused the different derivations, and it is now extremely difficult to tell which is appropriate in a given situation. Early Origins of the Furind familyThe surname Furind was first found in Yorkshire where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror and appointed to the Wardenship of Skipton Castle, for the Cliffords, the chief tenants shown in the Domesday Book. They were under the protection and patronage of the ancient Earl of Albermarle. Early History of the Furind familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Furind research. Another 175 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1651 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Furind History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Furind Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Ferrant, Ferrand, Ferand, Ferrante and others. Early Notables of the Furind familyMore information is included under the topic Early Furind Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Furind familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Furind or a variant listed above: Phillip Ferrant arrived in Virginia in 1654; George Ferand arrived at Providence R.I. in 1823; John Andrew Ferand arrived in Philadelphia in 1797; Benjamin arrived in New York in 1812.
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: Justus propositi tenax
Motto Translation: The just is firm of purpose.
 | 
England
Ireland
