Show ContentsFalshawe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon name Falshawe comes from when the family resided at Fanshawe Gate Hall in the county of Derbyshire. 1

Another source notes that name was derived from "fane, a temple or church, and shaw, a small wood or grove, a thicket—the church in the grove." 2

Early Origins of the Falshawe family

The surname Falshawe was first found in Derbyshire. The family held high distinction at Fanshawe Gate from early times. This was the site where Thomas Fanshawe (1533-1601), the Queen's Remembrancer and his descendants hailed.

Earlier John ffawnchall, Fanshawe was listed here in 1490. 1

Very little is known of the earlier lineage apart from the fact that he was the eldest son of John Fanshawe of Fanshawe Gate and had an uncle name Henry Fanshawe. In addition to Fanshawe Gate, he held estates in Ware Park, Hertfordshire and Jenkins, in Barking, Essex; presumably some were inherited through the family.

Early History of the Falshawe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Falshawe research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1533, 1569, 1596, 1601, 1608, 1616, 1621, 1625, 1661, 1665, 1666 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Falshawe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Falshawe Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Falshawe include Fanshaw, Fanshawe and others.

Early Notables of the Falshawe family

Distinguished members of the family include Thomas Fanshawe (1533-1601), English Remembrancer of the Exchequer; Sir Henry Fanshawe (1569-1616), an English Remembrancer of the Exchequer; Thomas Fanshawe, 1st Viscount Fanshawe KB (1596-1665), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1621 and 1661, supporter of the Royalist cause in the...
Another 51 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Falshawe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Falshawe family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: Richard Fanshaw who settled in Virginia in 1635; Sibilla Fanshaw settled in Virginia in 1726.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print


Houseofnames.com on Facebook