Show ContentsPhillbrick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Phillbrick was derived from Felbrigg, a small village just south of Cromer in Norfolk. The place dates back to the Domesday Book where it was part of the North Erpingham Hundred and named Felebruge. The name was derived from the Old Norse "fjol" + the Old English word "brycg" and meant "bridge made of planks." 1 Today the Felbrigg Estate is owned by the National Trust and covers 1,760 acres and in the village church, 14th-century brasses of Sir Simon de Felbrigge and his wife can be viewed.

Early Origins of the Phillbrick family

The surname Phillbrick was first found in Norfolk at Felbrigg, a parish, in the union of Erpingham, hundred of North Erpingham. The church of Felbrigg gives evidence of the first record of the family. "On a large marble slab in the nave, is a fine brass representing the figure, in complete armour, of Sir Simon de Felbrigge, who lived in the reign of Henry VI., and was one of the early knights of the Garter." 2 He was born in Erpingham in 1367 and died there in 1443. He was son of Sir Roger Fylbrigg de Felbrigge (c. 1316-1380.) And he was son of Simon de Felbrigge, Lord of Felbrigge (c. 1274-1351.) His father Roger de Felbrigge (le Bigod), (1254-1295) was son of Sir Simon le Bigod. Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands of Felbrigg, Metton under-tenant of Roger Bigod who was recorded in the Domesday Book 3 census of 1086. Sir Simon de Felbrigge, son of Sir Roger Bigod, assumed the name of Felbrigg.

Early History of the Phillbrick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Phillbrick research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1347, 1395, 1397 and 1620 are included under the topic Early Phillbrick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Phillbrick Spelling Variations

Endless 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 Felbridge, Fellbridge, Felbrigge, Felbrige, Felbridg, Fellbrygge and many more.

Early Notables of the Phillbrick family

Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Phillbrick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Phillbrick family

To 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 Phillbrick or a variant listed above: settlers were recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled on the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Boston, to Virginia, to Florida, and to the islands..



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)


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