Velthom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The history of the Velthom family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in Middlesex, where they were Lords of the Manor of Feltham.

Early Origins of the Velthom family

The surname Velthom was first found in Middlesex at Feltham, today a suburban town in the London Borough of Hounslow, West London. "This place, which is noticed in Domesday Book, is supposed to have been originally called Feldham, signifying 'the field village.' " 1 Actually the parish dates back to Saxon times when in 969 it was known as Feltham. 2

The aforementioned Domesday Book actually lists the parish as Felteham. 3 The lands were originally granted by the Count of Mortaine on behalf of Duke William. They were Lords of the manor of Feltham, and under tenants to the Count, and the name emerged as de Feltham. The manor house and nearly the entire village was rebuilt in 1634 after and accidental fire which also claimed the parish records.

Early History of the Velthom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Velthom research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1620, 1631 and 1668 are included under the topic Early Velthom History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Velthom Spelling Variations

Anglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Fealtham, Feltham, Feltam, Fealtam and others.

Early Notables of the Velthom family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Owen Feltham (1602-1668), an English writer, author of a book entitled Resolves, Divine, Moral, and Political (c. 1620.) He "was son of Thomas Felltham of Mutford in Suffolk, and of Mary, daughter of John Ufflete of Somerleyton in Suffolk. From a Latin epitaph in the church of...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Velthom Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Velthom family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that plagued their homeland made the frontiers of the New World an attractive prospect. Thousands migrated, aboard cramped disease-ridden ships. They arrived sick, poor, and hungry, but were welcomed in many cases with far greater opportunity than at home in England. Many of these hardy settlers went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Among early immigrants bearing the name Velthom or a variant listed above were: Thomas Feltham settled in Virginia in 1649; Joseph Feltham arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; In Newfoundland, John Feltham held fishing rights at Pig Island in 1803.

The Velthom 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: Portanti spolia palma
Motto Translation: The prize is to him that carries off the booty.

Citations +

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