Fendley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The first family to use the name Fendley lived among the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The name Fendley is derived from the Gaelic Fionnlagh which is often Anglicized to fair hero.
Early Origins of the Fendley family
The surname Fendley was first found in Banffshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Bhanbh), former Scottish county located in the northeasterly Grampian region of Scotland, now of divided between the Council Areas of Moray and Aberdeenshire, where they were descended from the Chiefs of the Clan Farquharson, one of the great federation of 26 Clans, known as the Clan Chattan.
Early History of the Fendley family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fendley research. Another 214 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1480, 1547, 1629, 1755, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Fendley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Fendley Spelling Variations
Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Fendley has appeared Findlay, Findlow, Findlaw, Finley, Finlay and others.
Early Notables of the Fendley family
More information is included under the topic Early Fendley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Fendley Ranking
In the United States, the name Fendley is the 8,935th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1
Migration of the Fendley family to Ireland
Some of the Fendley family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Fendley migration to the United States +
Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Fendley:
Fendley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Kate Fendley, aged 21, who settled in America from Glasgow, in 1899
Fendley Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Louise Fendley, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1914
- Moses Lacey Fendley, aged 38, who landed in America, in 1914
- Eric Fendley, aged 0, who immigrated to the United States from Wallasey, England, in 1921
- William Shireff Fendley, aged 40, who immigrated to America from Newcastle/Tyne, England, in 1923
Contemporary Notables of the name Fendley (post 1700) +
- Robert Fendley (b. 1962), American professional football player
- Tech. Sgt. Iman A. Fendley, United States Air Force (USAF), officer who perished in a plane crash, eponym of Fendley Glacier, Antarctica
- John Phillip "Jake" Fendley (1929-2002), American NBA basketball player
- Curtis Fendley, American politician, Mayor of Paris, Texas, 2003-06 2
- Mrs. Alison Denise Fendley O.B.E. (b. 1970), British Executive Director for Forensic Archive Limited, was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 for services to Forensic Science 3
- John "Fenners" Fendley, British television presenter
The Fendley 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: Fortis in arduis
Motto Translation: Brave in difficulties.
Citations +
- "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
- "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists