Fountain History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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The ancestors of the Fountain family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived near a spring or well which was in turn derived from the Old French word fontane, which means spring or well. Fountain is a topographic surname, which is a type of surname that was given to a person who resided near a landmark such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.

John Pherd (died 1225), Bishop of Ely, properly called John of Fountains, was a Cistercian monk of Fountains, and was chosen ninth abbot of his house in December 1211. 1

Early Origins of the Fountain family

The surname Fountain was first found in Norfolk at Harford, a parish, in the union of Swaffham, hundred of South Greenhoe.

"Narford Hall was built by Sir Andrew Fountaine, vice-chamberlain to Queen Caroline (consort of George II.), and the companion of Pope, Swift, and their literary society; he enriched the mansion with a collection of antiquities, paintings, and curiosities, which has been considerably increased by the present proprietor. In the reign of Edward III. Sir Thomas de Narford obtained for it a market and two fairs, long since fallen into disuse." 2

Early History of the Fountain family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fountain research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1430, 1460, 1471, 1554, 1572, 1591, 1600, 1608, 1659, 1660, 1671, 1676 and 1753 are included under the topic Early Fountain History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fountain Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Fountain were recorded, including Fountaine, Fountain, Fountayne, Fontain, Fontibus, Ffountain, Ffounteyn, Ffunteyn and many more.

Early Notables of the Fountain family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was

Sir Andrew Fountaine (1676-1753), an English antiquarian, art collector and amateur architect. He was the eldest son of Andrew Fountaine, M.P., of Narford, Norfolk. 1
John Fountaine (1600-1671), the English jurist, was Commissioner of the great seal of England from (1659 to 1660). He was the son of Arthur Fountaine of Dalling, Norfolk. 1

Fountain Ranking

In the United States, the name Fountain is the 1,409^th most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 3

Fountain migration to the United States +

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Fountain arrived in North America very early:

Fountain Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Richard Fountain, who landed in Maryland in 1660 4
Nicholas Fountain who settled in Maryland in 1661
Nicholas Fountain, who arrived in Maryland in 1663 4
William Fountain, who arrived in Maryland in 1680 4

Fountain Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Peter DeLa Fountain, who landed in America in 1760 4
Lewis Fountain, who settled in Maryland in 1775

Fountain Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Francois Fountain, who arrived in Mississippi in 1847 4
John Fountain, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1851 4

Fountain migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fountain Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Thomas Fountain, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Stephen Fountain, who arrived in New Brunswick in 1783
Mr. John Fountain U.E. (b. 1744) who settled in Deer Island, West Isle, New Brunswick c. 1784 he died in 1829 5
Private Stephen Fountain U.E. (b. 1745) born in Norwalk, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA from New York, USA who settled in Sandy Cove, Digby County, Nova Scotia c. 1784 he enlisted in 1776 served in the Queen's Rangers he died in 1815, married to Sarah Scofield they had 2 children 5
Mr. Richard Fountain U.E. who settled in Eastern District, Cornwall, Ontario c. 1786 listed as married 5

Fountain migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Fountain Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

James Fountain, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Bolton" in 1848 6
Frederick Fountain, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 7
Louisa Fountain, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 7
Susan Fountain, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 7

Fountain 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:

Fountain Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Alfred Fountain, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 8
Mr. James Fountain, (b. 1835), aged 38, English carpenter from Norfolk travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Surat" going to Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand in 1873, the ship sunk at the Catlins River all the passengers were transported to Dunedin via various rescure vessels 9
Mrs. Hannah Fountain, (b. 1837), aged 36, English settler from Norfolk travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Surat" going to Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand in 1873, the ship sunk at the Catlins River all the passengers were transported to Dunedin via various rescure vessels 9
William George Fountain, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Golden Sea" in 1874
Jane E. Fountain, aged 8, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Golden Sea" in 1874
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Fountain (post 1700) +

Pete Fountain (1930-2016), born Pierre Dewey LaFontaine, Jr. American clarinetist from New Orleans, Louisiana is one of the most famous of all New Orleans jazz clarinetists, known for his work with the Laurence Welk Orchestra, inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
Albert Jennings Fountain (1838-1896), American lawyer, Indian fighter, and Republican politician
Clarence Fountain (b. 1929), one of the founding members of the Original Five Blind Boys of Alabama from Tyler, Alabama
Richard T. Fountain, American Democratic Party politician, Member of North Carolina State House of Representatives from Edgecombe County, 1921-22; Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, 1929-33 10
Percy C. Fountain, American politician, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Alabama, 1948-56 10
M. M. Fountain, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Alabama, 1936 10
Lawrence H. Fountain (1913-2002), American Democratic Party politician, Lawyer 10
Henry B. Fountain, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Rocky Mount, North Carolina, 1961-72 (acting, 1961-62) 10
Frank Fountain, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Clinton County, 1924 10
Edwin W. Fountain, American Democratic Party politician, Postmaster at Darlington, South Carolina, 1920-22 (acting, 1920-22) 10
... (Another 8 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Fountain 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: Vix ea nostra voco
Motto Translation: I scarce call these things our own.