Show ContentsFawconbridge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Fawconbridge

What does the name Fawconbridge mean?

The Fawconbridge name was coined by the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Fawconbridge was originally a name given to someone who worked as a worker who cared for and trained falcons. The surname Fawconbridge originally derived from the Old French word faucon which referred to falcon.

Early Origins of the Fawconbridge family

The surname Fawconbridge was first found in East Riding of Yorkshire at Rise, a parish, in the union of Skirlaugh, N. division of the wapentake of Holderness. "The family of Fauconberg were lords of this manor for nearly 400 years." 1

Originally spelt Facunberge, the Anglicized Flaconbridge was a "great Yorkshire family," says Sir Egerton Brydges, "of later date, at least as to the name." This was taken, from Fauquemberg, near St. Omer (the family, in spelling the name, long preserved the m), and was imported into Holderness by Franco homo Drogonis de Beurer, an under-tenant in Domesday. "By the name of Franco de Falconberg de Rise, he is mentioned in the chronicle of Meaux Abbey, as one of the contemporaries and neighbours of Gamel de Meaux, on whose land the abbey was built. His family was one of the few received into favour by the Earls of Albemarle." A. S. Ellis. They held their manor of Rise for four hundred years." 2

Early History of the Fawconbridge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fawconbridge research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1250, 1345, 1376, 1378, 1391, 1402, 1406 and 1407 are included under the topic Early Fawconbridge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fawconbridge Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Fawconbridge are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Fawconbridge include: Falconbridge, Fawconberg, Fawconbridge, Falkenbridge, Falkenberg, Falconberg and many more.

Early Notables of the Fawconbridge family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Thomas de Fauconberg, 5th Baron Fauconberg (1345-1407), English peer, joined the French in the Hundred Years' War (1376), imprisoned in Gloucester Castle , for treason, (1378-1391)...
Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fawconbridge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fawconbridge family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Fawconbridge or a variant listed above: Caleb Faulkenbridge arrived in Philadelphia in 1872; Benjamin Falkenberg arrived in Philadelphia in 1852; Baron Falkenburg arrived in New York State in 1842..



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3


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