The surname Flowerday was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Norman influence of English history prevailed after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience dominated. The family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held estates in that county. The origin of the name was 'fleur dieu'. [1]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flowerday research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1592, 1606, 1455, 1487, 1586, 1552, 1569, 1577, 1579, 1571, 1573, 1571, 1172 and 1619 are included under the topic Early Flowerday History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Flowerday have been found, including Flowerdew, Flowerday, Flowerdue, Flourdough, Flowerdo and many more.
Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Edward Flowerdew (d. 1586), English judge, fourth son of John Flowerdew of Hethersett, Norfolk, a large landed proprietor. "He became a member of the Inner Temple 11 Oct. 1552, and in the autumn of 1569 and Lent of 1577 was reader, and in 1579 treasurer. He obtained considerable celebrity as a lawyer in...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Flowerday Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Flowerday family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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 Flowerday were among those contributors: