Fee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Fee name:

Fee Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• John Fee, who landed in New England in 1638 2
• Neale Fee, who arrived in Virginia in 1642 2
• Reynold Fee, who landed in Maryland in 1668 2

Fee Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Hans Jacob Fee, aged 30, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 2

Fee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• James Fee, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1811 2
• Patrick Fee, who landed in Philadelphia Pennsylvania in 1811 2
• Robert Fee, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 2
• William Fee, who landed in South Carolina in 1812 2
• Hugh Fee, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816 2
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fee Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Patrick Fee, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
• Mrs. Ann Fee, aged 30 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Charles Richard" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 3
• Mr. Patrick Fee, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Wolfville" departing 25th April 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but he died on board 4

Fee Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Michael Fee, (Fea, Fre, Foy), (b. 1796), aged 30, Irish linen worker who was convicted in County Mayo, Ireland for life for rioting, transported aboard the "Boyne" on 28th October 1826, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1836 5
• Mr. Charles Fee, (b. 1814), aged 17, Irish shoe maker's boy who was convicted in Monaghan, Ireland for life for embezzlement, transported aboard the "Captain Cook" on 5th November 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
• Elizabeth Fee, English convict from Lancaster, who was transported aboard the "Angelina" on April 25, 1844, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 7

Fee Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Miss Maria Fee, (b. 1849), aged 17, British dairymaid travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 8
• Miss Mary Ann Fee, (b. 1843), aged 23, British dairymaid travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 8
• Miss Jane Fee, (b. 1842), aged 24, British dressmaker travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 8
• William Fee, aged 50, a farm labourer, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1874
• Bessie Fee, aged 45, who arrived in Hawkes Bay aboard the ship "Bebington" in 1874

Fee Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

• Geo Fee, aged 19, who landed in St Christopher in 1635 2

• Gordon Donald Fee (1934-2022), American Christian theologian who was an ordained minister of the Assemblies of God (USA), Professor of New Testament Studies at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
• Charles Fee, American producing artistic director for three classical repertory companies
• Ben Fee (b. 1908), Chinese American writer and labor organizer
• John Fee (1867-1913), American professional baseball player
• John Gregg Fee (1816-1901), American abolitionist, minister and educator
• James Alger Fee (1888-1959), American jurist from Oregon
• Melinda O. Fee (b. 1942), American actress
• James Fee (1949-2006), American photographer
• Raymond "Ray" John Fee (1903-1983), American boxer
• Harry W. Fee (1870-1960), American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania 27th District, 1924; Chair of Indiana County Democratic Party, 1927 10
• ... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• The Fee Family and the Daily Notes of Canonsburg Pennsylvania: The Evolution of a Family, Its Newspaper, and Its Community by William Warrell Fee.
• A history of the Fee Family by Ralph E. Pearson.