Fairbrass History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 


Early Origins of the Fairbrass family

The surname Fairbrass was first found in Oxfordshire where John Fierebrache was listed in the Pipe Rolls there in 1190. 1 The name is generally thought to have two possible origins.

Firstly, the name could have been a nickname for someone who had an "iron-arm," 2 having derived from the Old French words "fer, fier" or the Middle English word "feer, fere" which mean "bold, fierce, proud," + the French word "bras" meaning "arm." 1

Secondly, the name could have been Norman in origin and the family could have come to Britain about the time of the Conquest. 3 Early records finds them scattered through Britain as seen by John Fierbrace who was listed in Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1196; 1 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Robert Ferebras in Buckinghamshire; Henry Ferebraz in Oxfordshire; and John Ferbraz in Buckinghamshire. 2

Early History of the Fairbrass family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fairbrass research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1455, 1487, 1619, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1652, 1680, 1687, 1690, 1691, 1692, 1712, 1724, 1727 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Fairbrass History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fairbrass Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Fairbrass has been spelled many different ways, including Firebrace, Firbrace, Firebrass, Firbrash, Fairbrass, Fairbrace, Farbrace and many more.

Early Notables of the Fairbrass family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Henry Firebrace (c. 1619-1691) English courtier to Charles I, Clerk of the Green Cloth for King Charles II. He was the sixth son of Robert Firebrace of Derby, who died in 1645. He became much attached to the king, and was able to be of service to him on more than one occasion—at Uxbridge, in connection with the negotiations there in...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fairbrass Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Fairbrass migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Fairbrass Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

The Fairbrass 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: Fideli quid obstat
Motto Translation: What stands in the way of the faithful
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