| ![Show Contents]() Flashman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of FlashmanWhat does the name Flashman mean? The name Flashman is an occupational name for someone who was a 'the flaxman,' a dresser of flax, derived from the Middle English, flax and the Anglo-Saxon fleax. 1 "Flaxman is a trade name that denotes a dealer in flax, flaxseed oil, or hemp. Or it may refer to the color of a person's hair. In old authors "flax-wife" signifies a female spinner who is married, probably to distinguish her from the spinster, or maiden of the distaff. One of the family is described as "Johannem Spoundel dictum Flexmangere," or fiax-monger, and twenty years later this person, or a descendant, is simply described as 'Johannes Flexman.'" 2 Early Origins of the Flashman familyThe surname Flashman was first found in Huntingdonshire where in the year 1279 William Flexman held estates in that shire. A few years later, Richard le flexmongere was laos listed there in 1294. In Norfolk, Nicholas Flaxman was listed as holding lands there in 1332. 3 The source Placita de Quo Warranto, temp. Edward I-III includes entries for Ralph le Flexman and John Flexmon, Gloucestershire, 20 Edward I (during the twentieth year of King Edard I's reign.) 1 Early History of the Flashman familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flashman research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1205, 1327, 1332, 1562, 1582, 1663 and 1706 are included under the topic Early Flashman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Flashman Spelling VariationsSpelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Flashman have been found, including Flaxman, Flexman, Flashman, Flachman, Fleshman, Flesh and many more. Early Notables of the Flashman familyMore information is included under the topic Early Flashman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Flashman familyFamilies began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Flashman, or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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