Phownes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Early Origins of the Phownes family

The surname Phownes was first found in Devon 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 12th century when they held estates at Plymouth. They are believed to have been originally from Saxby Saphy in Worcestershire about 1000 A.D.

Early History of the Phownes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Phownes research. Another 136 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1142, 1149, 1162, 1172, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1538, 1560, 1600, 1610, 1625, 1673, 1697 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Phownes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Phownes Spelling Variations

Phownes has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Fowns, Fownes, Vownes, Faun, Faunce, Vaunce, Vaun, Fones, Foynes, Voynes, Phones, Phowns and many more.

Early Notables of the Phownes family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Phownes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Phownes family to Ireland

Some of the Phownes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Phownes family

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Phowness to arrive on North American shores: 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..