When the ancestors of the Felthyn family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Middlesex, where they were Lords of the Manor of Feltham.
The surname Felthyn was first found in Middlesex at Feltham, today a suburban town in the London Borough of Hounslow, West London. "This place, which is noticed in Domesday Book, is supposed to have been originally called Feldham, signifying 'the field village.' " [1] Actually the parish dates back to Saxon times when in 969 it was known as Feltham. [2]
The aforementioned Domesday Book actually lists the parish as Felteham. [3] The lands were originally granted by the Count of Mortaine on behalf of Duke William. They were Lords of the manor of Feltham, and under tenants to the Count, and the name emerged as de Feltham. The manor house and nearly the entire village was rebuilt in 1634 after and accidental fire which also claimed the parish records.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Felthyn research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1602, 1668, 1620 and 1631 are included under the topic Early Felthyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Felthyn has been recorded under many different variations, including Fealtham, Feltham, Feltam, Fealtam and others.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Owen Feltham (1602-1668), an English writer, author of a book entitled Resolves, Divine, Moral, and Political (c. 1620.) He "was son of Thomas Felltham of Mutford in Suffolk, and of Mary, daughter of John Ufflete of Somerleyton in Suffolk. From a Latin epitaph in the church of...
Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Felthyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Felthyns were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: Thomas Feltham settled in Virginia in 1649; Joseph Feltham arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1846; In Newfoundland, John Feltham held fishing rights at Pig Island in 1803.