Furrend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancient Normans that arrived in England following the Conquest of 1066 are the initial ancestors from which the many generations of the Furrend family have grown. The name Furrend was given to a member of the family who was 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 Furrend family

The surname Furrend 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 Furrend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Furrend research. Another 175 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1510, 1651 and 1850 are included under the topic Early Furrend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Furrend Spelling Variations

Before 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 Furrend include Ferrant, Ferrand, Ferand, Ferrante and others.

Early Notables of the Furrend family

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

Migration of the Furrend family

In 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 Furrends to arrive on North American shores: 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 Furrend 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: Justus propositi tenax
Motto Translation: The just is firm of purpose.