| ![Show Contents]() Feys History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Etymology of FeysWhat does the name Feys mean? The Irish name Feys has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Feys is Ó Fathaigh, derived from the word "fothadh," meaning "foundation." 1 Early Origins of the Feys familyThe surname Feys was first found in Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Early History of the Feys familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feys research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Feys History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Feys Spelling VariationsThe Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period. The following variations for the name Feys were encountered in the archives: Fahey, Fahie, Fahy, Fay, O'Fahey, O'Fahy, Vahey and many more. Early Notables of the Feys familyMore information is included under the topic Early Feys Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Feys familyIn the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Feys family came to North America quite early: Daniel Fahay, who settled in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1860; Peggy Fahee, who settled in New York State in 1846; Daniel, James, John, Michael, and Patrick Fahey, who arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
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: Esperance
Motto Translation: Hope.
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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