Show ContentsFawconbrige History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Fawconbrige

What does the name Fawconbrige mean?

The name Fawconbrige is Anglo-Saxon in origin. It was a name given to a worker who cared for and trained falcons. The surname Fawconbrige originally derived from the Old French word faucon which referred to falcon.

Early Origins of the Fawconbrige family

The surname Fawconbrige 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 Fawconbrige family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fawconbrige 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 Fawconbrige History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fawconbrige Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Fawconbrige include Falconbridge, Fawconberg, Fawconbridge, Falkenbridge, Falkenberg, Falconberg and many more.

Early Notables of the Fawconbrige 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 Fawconbrige Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fawconbrige family

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Fawconbrige were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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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