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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Exploration of the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 discovered: Roger Vincent in Berkshire; and Richard filius Vincent in Huntingdonshire. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Kirby's Quest listed Vincent atte More in Somerset, 1 Edward III (during the first year of King Edward III's reign.) [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
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. Later the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Johannes Vynsand. [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Finson family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Finson research.
Another 201 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1591, 1646, 1639, 1697, 1662 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)
Another 49 words (4 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 100 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Finson family to the New World and Oceana
In
England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Finsons to arrive on North American shores: Adrian Vincent settled in New
England in 1633; Henry Vincent settled in Virginia in 1635; John Vincent settled in Jamaica in 1663; John Vincent settled in Maryland in 1726.
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.