Show ContentsFitzraulf History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Fitzraulf family

The surname Fitzraulf was first found in Yorkshire where one of the first records of the name was found at Middleham. "About the year 1190, a splendid castle was built here by Robert Fitz-Ranulph, in which, according to Stowe, Falconbridge, a partisan of Henry VI., was beheaded in 1471; though Speed says he was executed at Southampton. " 1

Randulf (died 1129), also named Le Meschin, Earl of Chester was the son and heir of Randulf, called 'de Brichessart' (from Briquessart, his family seat), hereditary vicomte of the Bessin in Normandy. However, his position and name was historically in dispute. "According to Dugdale, he came over with the Conqueror, and received the city of Carlisle, of which he became earl. Freeman asserted that he became earl of Cumberland; but, as Mr. Eyton rightly points out, Randulf was never 'earl,' but merely 'lord' of the district." 2

His son, Randulf, called De Gernons, Earl of Chester (d. 1153) succeeded his lands shortly before 1130. The Pipe Rolls of 1130 list he was indebted to the crown for large sums, including £1,000. which his father had died owing for the fief of his kinsman the Earl of Chester. 2

Richard FitzRalph, "in Latin Ricardus films Radulphi, often referred to simply as 'Armachanus' or 'Ardmachanus' (d. 1360), was Archbishop of Armagh and born probably in the last years of the thirteenth century at Dundalk in the county of Louth. " 2

Early History of the Fitzraulf family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fitzraulf research. Another 63 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1200, 1523, 1558, 1566, 1590, 1605, 1632, 1635, 1650, 1681, 1683, 1684, 1691, 1698, 1703, 1711, 1727, 1729, 1741, 1742 and 1749 are included under the topic Early Fitzraulf History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fitzraulf Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Fitzraulf have been found, including FitzRandolph, FitzRandolf, FetzRandolff, FitzRandulf, Randolph, FitzRaulf and many more.

Early Notables of the Fitzraulf family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Randolph (died 1566), English soldier, probably a brother of Thomas Randolph (1523-1590), born at Badlesmere in Kent. "He made himself sufficiently prominent in Edward VI's time to find it necessary to flee to Paris on the accession of Mary. But, like other rebels, he soon tired of exile, and his known value as a soldier rendered the negotiations for his pardon easy." 2 Thomas Randolph (1523-1590) was an English ambassador, son of Avery Randolph of Badlesmere, Kent. In 1558, Randolph was acting as an agent of the English government in Germany. Thomas Randolph (1605-1635)...
Another 186 words (13 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fitzraulf Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Fitzraulf family to Ireland

Some of the Fitzraulf family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 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 Fitzraulf family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Fitzraulf were among those contributors: John Randolph settled in New York in 1822; along with Michael; John and Thomas Randolph settled in San Francisco in 1850.



  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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