Finson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Finson reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Finson family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Finson family lived in Leicestershire. Their name, however, is a reference to St. Vincent-de-Cramenil, Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Early Origins of the Finson family

The surname Finson was first found in Leicestershire where they held a family seat from early times at Swinford. They were originally from St. Vincent-de-Cramenil in Le Havre in Normandy. Today, Swinford is a village and civil parish in the Harborough district

"The family of Vincent descend from Miles Vincent, owner of the lands at Swinford in the county of Leicester, in the tenth of Edward II." ^[1]

Exploration of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 discovered: Roger Vincent in Berkshire; and Richard filius Vincent in Huntingdonshire. ^[2] Kirby's Quest listed Vincent atte More in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) ^[3] Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Vynsand. ^[2]

Early History of the Finson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Finson research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1584, 1626, 1584, 1618, 1591, 1646, 1639, 1697, 1662, 1634, 1678, 1638, 1617 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Finson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Finson Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Finson include Vincent, Vinsant, Vinsen, Vincer and others.

Early Notables of the Finson family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Augustine Vince (1584?-1626), English herald, born presumably at Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, about 1584, the third and youngest son of William Vincent (d. 1618) and his wife Elizabeth. ^[4] John Vincent (1591-1646), was nominated by the committee of the Westminster Assembly to the rectory of Sedgefield, Durham; and his son, Nathaniel Vincent (1639?-1697), was an English nonconformist minister from Cornwall, ejected in 1662 and several times imprisoned. Thomas Vincent (1634-1678), was...
Another 74 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Finson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Finson family to Ireland

Some of the Finson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Finson migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Finson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Finson, British convict who was convicted in Sureey, England for life, transported aboard the "Asia" on 19th November 1827, settling in New South Wales, Australia ^[5]

The Finson 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: Vincenti dabitur
Motto Translation: It shall be given to the conqueror.

Citations +

^ Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, 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)
^ 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.
^ Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
^ Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1827