Fitzjames is an ancient Norman name that arrived in
England after the
Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Fitzjames comes from the
personal name Jacob, the Latin
Jacobus via the Late Latin
Jacomus. The Latin
Jacobus is derived from the
Hebrew name
Yaakov which is traditionally interpreted as coming from the
Hebrew akev, which means
heel. Early Origins of the Fitzjames family
The surname Fitzjames was first found in
Surrey where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror after the
Norman Conquest in 1066. Anciently they held lands in
Normandy as St. James.
Early History of the Fitzjames family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fitzjames research.
Another 397 words (28 lines of text) covering the years 1210, 1610, 1681, 1653, 1620, 1700, 1661, 1679, 1689, 1690, 1619, 1670, 1654, 1656, 1624, 1705, 1659, 1626, 1685, 1659, 1673, 1702, 1644 and 1719 are included under the topic Early Fitzjames History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Fitzjames Spelling Variations
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 James, Fitzjames, St. James, Jaimes, Geames and many more.
Early Notables of the Fitzjames family (pre 1700)
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was John James
(c. 1610-1681), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1653 who served in the Parliamentary army in the English Civil War; Roger James (c 1620-1700), an English landowner and politician, Member of Parliament for Reigate (1661-1679) and...
Another 81 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fitzjames Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Fitzjames family to Ireland
Some of the Fitzjames family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 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 Fitzjames family to the New World and Oceana
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 Fitzjames or a variant listed above: Edmund James, who settled in Salem Massachusetts in 1630; Blanch James, a servant sent to Barbados in 1658; David James, who came to Nevis in 1661; Abel James, who arrived in Maryland in 1670.
The Fitzjames 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: J'aime à jamais
Motto Translation: I love forever.