Fillward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Fillward family

The surname Fillward was first found in Lancashire at Fulwood, "for many generations the seat of the family." 1 However, another source claims that the family is from Fulwood, "an ecclesiastical district in the parish of Sheffield, West Riding of Yorkshire This seems to have been the habitat of the family." 2

And another source claims that family is from the West Riding of Yorkshire were Adam de Foulewode was first listed in 1326. 3

Indeed, this latter source may point us in the correct direction as the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include: Hugo de Folewode, taylour; Ricardus de Folewod; and Hugo de Fulewode as all holding lands there at that time. 2

In an attempt to clear up the confusion, we explored the origin of the place name Fulwood. It is derived from the Old English words "ful" + "wudu." The oldest place was in Lancashire where it was recorded as Fulede in 1199, followed by Folewode, Nottinghamshire in the 13 century. 4

Early History of the Fillward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fillward research. Another 171 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1167, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1562, 1563, 1589, 1590, 1600, 1606, 1624 and 1643 are included under the topic Early Fillward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fillward Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Fillward has been spelled many different ways, including Fullwood, Fullward, Fulwood, Fulward, Filwood, Folward, Folwood, Foulwood, Filward, Fillward and many more.

Early Notables of the Fillward family

Distinguished members of the family include Christopher Fulwood (1590?-1643), English Royalist, probably born in London about 1590, the eldest son of Sir George Fulwood, Lord of the Manor of Middleton by Youlgrave, Derbyshire...
Another 32 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fillward Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fillward family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Fillwards to arrive in North America: John Fulwood, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; George Fullwood, who settled in Barbados in 1635; John Fullwood, who came to New York in 1637; Samuel Fulwood, who settled in Barbados in 1701.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)