Ffawkes is a name that was brought to
England by the ancestors of the Ffawkes family when they migrated to the region after the
Norman Conquest in 1066. The Ffawkes family lived in
Essex. The name, however, derives from the family's place of residence prior to the
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066,
Vaux, Normandy.
Early Origins of the Ffawkes family
The surname Ffawkes was first found in
Essex where Robert de Vals, de Valibus, de Vaux was first listed shortly after the Conquest.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) However, the name was scattered throughout early Britain due to their strong Norman ancestry. Aitard de Vaux held estates in
Norfolk in 1086 as did Randulph de Vaux in
Cumberland.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
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) In part, this was due to the origin of the name "Vaux," a fairly common French place name which is plural of the word "val" which means in English "valley."
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) The "V" and "F" prefix was interchangeable at this time.
Early History of the Ffawkes family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ffawkes research.
Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1570, 1606, 1605, 1675 and 1732 are included under the topic Early Ffawkes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Ffawkes Spelling Variations
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few
hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Ffawkes have been found, including Faux, Fawkes, Fauks and others.
Early Notables of the Ffawkes family (pre 1700)
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ffawkes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Ffawkes family to the New World and Oceana
For many English families, the social climate in
England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of
Ireland,
Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Ffawkes were among those contributors: Henry Fauks arrived in Pennsylvania in 1871; John Fawkes settled in Virginia in 1739; John Faux settled in Barbados in 1634; Robert Faux settled in New
England in 1698.
The Ffawkes 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: A Deo et Rege
Motto Translation: From God and the king.