The surname Fitzhugh, meaning son of Hugh, has many variants as a result of colloquial pronunciations of the name.
The surname Fithie was first found in Yorkshire where it is generally believed that this name claims descent from a feudal chief named Bardolph, who was Lord of Bavensworth, shortly after the Conquest. The surname had various early spellings but one of the first listings was of Henry Fitz-Hugh who was summoned to Parliament as Baron Fitz-Hugh during the time of King Edward III. [1] Another early entry was found in Gloucestershire in 1344, when John Fitz Huwe was mentioned in the Calendar Post Inquisitions.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fithie research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1473, 1492, 1497, 1609, 1363, 1425, 1413, 1425, 1416, 1421, 1399, 1452, 1431, 1436, 1424, 1426, 1505, 1488, 1505, 1455 and 1507 are included under the topic Early Fithie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Fitzhugh, Fitchew, Fitchie, Fithie, Fithye and others.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Henry FitzHugh, 3rd Baron FitzHugh KG (c.?1363–1425), an English administrator and diplomat who served under Henry IV and Henry V, Chamberlain of the Household (1413–1425), Treasurer of England (1416-1421); and his son, William FitzHugh, 4th Baron FitzHugh (c. 1399-1452), an English nobleman and Member of Parliament; and Robert...
Another 56 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fithie Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Fithie or a variant listed above: