Show ContentsFournivall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Fournivall reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Fournivall family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Fournivall family lived in Lincolnshire. Their name, however, is not a reference to this area, but to their place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Fourneville in Calvados, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Fournivall family

The surname Fournivall was first found in Lincolnshire where "the best authorities state that the first of this name, known in England, was Girard de Furnival, who came over from Normandy, temp. Richard I., and accompanied the crusade to the Holy Land. It is impossible to reconcile this fact with the entry on the Battle Roll. " 1

Early History of the Fournivall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fournivall research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1250 is included under the topic Early Fournivall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fournivall 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 Fournivall include Furnival, Furnivall, Furniwal, Furniwall and many more.

Early Notables of the Fournivall family

More information is included under the topic Early Fournivall Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fournivall 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 Fournivalls to arrive on North American shores: Richard Furnwall and Samuel Furnwall arrived in Philadelphia in 1876.



  1. Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.


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