Show ContentsFerest History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Ferest family

The surname Ferest was first found in Cumberland where they held a family seat on the English/Scottish border. After the Norman Conquest of England many of Duke William's rebellious Barons moved north. The border became a convenient no-man's land. Notable families such as the Percy, the Umfravilles and the Nevilles gathered many supporting clans around them. In the 16th century they became known as the 'unruly clans'. In that century, many of those clans drove their herds south, and they settled in Yorkshire and Lancashire. The name was first recorded in Lancashire when Henry Fairhurst was recorded in the Preston area.

Early History of the Ferest family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ferest research. Another 88 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ferest History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ferest Spelling Variations

Although the name, Ferest, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Fairhurst, Fairest, Firest, Ferest, Ferhurst and many more.

Early Notables of the Ferest family

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

Migration of the Ferest family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Ferest family name Ferest, or who bore a variation of the surname were settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.



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