Fenshaws History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of FenshawsWhat does the name Fenshaws mean? The name Fenshaws belongs to the early history of Britain, it's origins lie with the Anglo-Saxons. It is a product of their having lived at Fanshawe Gate Hall in the county of Derbyshire. 1 Another source notes that name was derived from "fane, a temple or church, and shaw, a small wood or grove, a thicket—the church in the grove." 2 Early Origins of the Fenshaws familyThe surname Fenshaws was first found in Derbyshire. The family held high distinction at Fanshawe Gate from early times. This was the site where Thomas Fanshawe (1533-1601), the Queen's Remembrancer and his descendants hailed. Earlier John ffawnchall, Fanshawe was listed here in 1490. 1 Very little is known of the earlier lineage apart from the fact that he was the eldest son of John Fanshawe of Fanshawe Gate and had an uncle name Henry Fanshawe. In addition to Fanshawe Gate, he held estates in Ware Park, Hertfordshire and Jenkins, in Barking, Essex; presumably some were inherited through the family. Early History of the Fenshaws familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fenshaws research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1533, 1569, 1596, 1601, 1608, 1616, 1621, 1625, 1661, 1665, 1666 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Fenshaws History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Fenshaws Spelling VariationsUntil the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Fenshaws include Fanshaw, Fanshawe and others. Early Notables of the Fenshaws familyDistinguished members of the family include Thomas Fanshawe (1533-1601), English Remembrancer of the Exchequer; Sir Henry Fanshawe (1569-1616), an English Remembrancer of the Exchequer; Thomas Fanshawe, 1st Viscount Fanshawe KB (1596-1665), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1621 and 1661, supporter of the Royalist cause in the... Migration of the Fenshaws familyThousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Fenshaws were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Richard Fanshaw who settled in Virginia in 1635; Sibilla Fanshaw settled in Virginia in 1726.
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