Fethers History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Fethers arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is a name for a person who was a buyer or seller of feathers, having derived from the Old English word "feder," meaning "feather." 1

The Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae records Reinfrid and Osmund le Feutrier of Normandy 1195 and that the name was derived from Le Feutrier. 2

Early Origins of the Fethers family

The surname Fethers was first found in Sussex where Juliana la Fethere was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1296. A few years later, Adam ffethir was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland in 1332. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 listed Amald le Fader, Wiltshire; and Richard le Fader, Oxfordshire. 3

In Somerset, Robert Fader was listed there 1 Edward III (during the first year of the reign of King Edward III.) 4

Early History of the Fethers family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fethers research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1275, 1282, 1304 and 1544 are included under the topic Early Fethers History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fethers Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Feathers, Feather, Fether, Fedder, Feder and others.

Early Notables of the Fethers family

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

Migration of the Fethers family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Fethers or a variant listed above: John Fether, aged 28, who arrived at Ellis Island from Somerset, England, in 1907; Alice Feather, aged 25, who arrived at Ellis Island from Bingley, England, in 1906.

Contemporary Notables of the name Fethers (post 1700) +

John Fethers (1929-2010), Australian Olympic fencer at the 1952 Summer Olympics

The Fethers Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Valens et volens
Motto Translation: Able and willing

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
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.