| ![Show Contents]() Fawke History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Fawke was carried to England in the enormous movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Fawke family lived in Essex. The name, however, derives from the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Vaux, Normandy. 1 Early Origins of the Fawke familyThe surname Fawke was first found in Essex where Robert de Vals, de Valibus, de Vaux was first listed shortly after the Conquest. 2 However, the name was scattered throughout early Britain due to their strong Norman ancestry. Aitard de Vaux held estates in Norfolk in 1086 as did Randulph de Vaux in Cumberland. 1 In part, this was due to the origin of the name "Vaux," a fairly common French place name which is plural of the word "val" which means in English "valley." 2 The "V" and "F" prefix was interchangeable at this time. Early History of the Fawke familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fawke research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1570, 1605, 1606, 1675 and 1732 are included under the topic Early Fawke History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Fawke Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Faux, Fawkes, Fauks and others. Early Notables of the Fawke familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was - Falcasius de Fawkes
- Guy Fawkes (1570-1606), also known as Guido Fawkes, English revolutionary who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605
- Isaac Fawkes (1675?-1732), (also spelt Fawks, Fawxs, Fauks and Faux), an English conjurer and showman
Migration of the Fawke familyTo escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Fawke or a variant listed above: Henry Fauks arrived in Pennsylvania in 1871; John Fawkes settled in Virginia in 1739; John Faux settled in Barbados in 1634; Robert Faux settled in New England in 1698.
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: A Deo et Rege
Motto Translation: From God and the king.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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