Show ContentsFlowerdow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Flowerdow is derived from the French 'fleur' and ' Dieu,' which literally means "God's flower" 1

Early Origins of the Flowerdow family

The surname Flowerdow was first found in Norfolk where John Floure-dieu was listed in 1541. A few years later, John Flowerdew, of Hetherset, Norfolk was registered as holding lands in 1549 and William Flowerdew was rector of Ashby, Norfolk in 1606. 2

Early History of the Flowerdow family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Flowerdow research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1552, 1555, 1569, 1571, 1573, 1577, 1579, 1586, 1592, 1606, 1619 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Flowerdow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Flowerdow Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Flowerdow include Flowerdew, Flowerday, Flowerdue, Flourdough, Flowerdo and many more.

Early Notables of the Flowerdow family

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 Flowerdow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Flowerdow family to Ireland

Some of the Flowerdow 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.

Migration of the Flowerdow family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Flowerdows to arrive on North American shores: 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..



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print


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