Felly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England

Felly is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a friend or comrade. The surname Felly originally derived from the Old English word Feolaza which affectionately meant "partner" or "shareholder." As a surname, it was likely taken on by a member of a trade guild.

"Besides its more proper meaning of ' companion,' the word Fellow is used in some dialects to signify a young unmarried man, or a servant engaged in husbandry. Chaucer uses the phrase 'a proper felawe' to denote a well-formed young man." ^[1]

Early Origins of the Felly family

The surname Felly was first found in Huntingdon. However another branch of the family was later found at Shotesham in Norfolk. "Shotesham Park, the seat of Robert Fellowes, Esq., is a handsome mansion, erected by the late Mr. Fellowes, near the site of the ancient Hall, which was surrounded with a moat. " ^[2]

Walter Felagh was one of the first records of the family. He was listed in the Assize Rolls of Northumberland in 1256. Robert le Felagh was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1327. ^[3] John Felagh was listed in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year's reign of Edward III.) ^[4]

Important Dates for the Felly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Felly research. Another 121 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1820 and 1910 are included under the topic Early Felly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Felly Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Felly were recorded, including Fellow, Fellows, Fellowes, Felloe and others.

Early Notables of the Felly family (pre 1700)

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

Felly migration to the United States

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Felly family emigrate to North America:

Felly Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Fra Felly, who arrived in Virginia in 1695 ^[5]

Felly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Margaret Felly, aged 20, who landed in New York in 1849 ^[5]
• Bridget Felly, aged 25, who landed in New York in 1849 ^[5]

Citations

1. ^ Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
2. ^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
3. ^ Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
4. ^ Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
5. ^ Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)