Fearnsides History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Fearnsides family

The surname Fearnsides was first found in Lancashire where Nicholas del ffernyside was listed in rolls in 1324. A very rare name, The next entry found as much later in 1587 when Edward Fearnesyde was listed in Yorkshire. The name literally means "dweller on the ferny slope." 1

Another source postulates the place is "adjacent to Fearnhead." 2

Early History of the Fearnsides family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fearnsides research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1327, 1595 and 1615 are included under the topic Early Fearnsides History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fearnsides Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Fearnsides family name include Fearnside, Fernside, Fernsid, Fearneside, Ferneside, Fearnsyde, Fernsyde, Farnside, Farsyde, Fernfold, Fernefold, Fearnfold, Fernwold and many more.

Early Notables of the Fearnsides family

More information is included under the topic Early Fearnsides Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fearnsides migration to Australia +

Fearnsides Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John Fearnsides, English convict from York, who was transported aboard the "Adelaide" on August 08, 1849, settling in Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia 3

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 17) Adelaide voyage to Van Diemen's Land and Port Phillip, Australia in 1849 with 303 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/adelaide/1849