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Show ContentsFirbrace History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Early Origins of the Firbrace family

The surname Firbrace was first found in Oxfordshire where John Fierebrache was listed in the Pipe Rolls there in 1190. 1 The name is generally thought to have two possible origins.

Firstly, the name could have been a nickname for someone who had an "iron-arm," 2 having derived from the Old French words "fer, fier" or the Middle English word "feer, fere" which mean "bold, fierce, proud," + the French word "bras" meaning "arm." 1

Secondly, the name could have been Norman in origin and the family could have come to Britain about the time of the Conquest. 3 Early records finds them scattered through Britain as seen by John Fierbrace who was listed in Pipe Rolls of Essex in 1196; 1 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list: Robert Ferebras in Buckinghamshire; Henry Ferebraz in Oxfordshire; and John Ferbraz in Buckinghamshire. 2

Early History of the Firbrace family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Firbrace research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1455, 1487, 1619, 1644, 1645, 1646, 1652, 1680, 1687, 1690, 1691, 1692, 1712, 1724, 1727 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Firbrace History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Firbrace Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Firbrace are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Firbrace include: Firebrace, Firbrace, Firebrass, Firbrash, Fairbrass, Fairbrace, Farbrace and many more.

Early Notables of the Firbrace family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Henry Firebrace (c. 1619-1691) English courtier to Charles I, Clerk of the Green Cloth for King Charles II. He was the sixth son of Robert Firebrace of Derby, who died in 1645. He became much attached to the king, and was able to be of service to him on more than one occasion—at Uxbridge, in connection with the negotiations there in...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Firbrace Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Firbrace family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Firbrace or a variant listed above: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.

The Firbrace 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: Fideli quid obstat
Motto Translation: What stands in the way of the faithful
  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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