Show ContentsFentor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Fentor family

The surname Fentor was first found in Huntingdonshire where Robert le Fendur was listed in the Feet of Fines for 1267. A few years later, Thomas le Fendour was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Yorkshire in 1301. 1

Another source notes that "Richard de Vendure witnesses Hugh de Coluncis' grant to Motesfont Priory, Hampshire; Oliver de Vendoure and 'Willielmus frater ejus' that of Simon de Crevecoeur to Bullington Priory, Lincolnshire. Gunilda de Wendoure paid a fine in Buckinghamshire in 1202.

The phonetic sound of the name pointed to many different spellings. "Richard de Wendour was Archdeacon of Axfordby in 1230: and two of the name, Hugo de Wendor, of Lincolnshire, and Alan de Vendur of Yorkshire, occur about 1272 in the Hundredorum Rolls " 2

"Sir John de Wendour was Chamberlain of Chester 9 and 15 Edward. In the Issue Roll, under date 50 Ed. II I. , we find the following entry : '20th November.—To John Vendour of Newark, coming by command of the Council from Lincoln, to bring Sir William de Cantelupe, knight, to the Tower of London, upon suspicion had against him for the death of Nicholas de Cantelupe, his brother, slain : and there safely and securely to keep him in the King's prison until otherwise respecting the same William it should be ordered by the King and his Council. In money paid, &c., in discharge of one hundred shillings, which the Lord the King commanded to be paid him for the wages and expenses of himself and his men going with him and his retinue, for the safe custody of the aforesaid William.' "

"In some cases Vendoure appears to have been synonymous with the English local name of Wendover. Oliver de Vendoure of Lincolnshire, for instance, is, as often as not, styled in the Monasticon, Oliver de Wendover." 2

Early History of the Fentor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fentor research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1381, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Fentor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fentor Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Fentor have been found, including Fender, Fendor, Fendur, Fendere, Vendor, Vender, Fenter, Fentor, Fendour and many more.

Early Notables of the Fentor family

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

Migration of the Fentor family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Fentor, or a variant listed above: George Fender, whose Oath of Allegiance was recorded in Philadelphia in 1868; and John Fender, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1854.



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3


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