| Frainey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms Etymology of FraineyWhat does the name Frainey mean? The ancient surname Frainey derived its origin from the Old French word fraisne, fresne which means ‘ash-tree’ which denotes 'dweller by an ash-tree’ 1 There are numerous spelling variations from this root. Another source claims the name is from Fresnay, Normandy as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Roger de Fresnay living there in 1180. Robert and Roger de Fraisnio were later recorded in 1198. 2 Early Origins of the Frainey familyThe surname Frainey was first found in Suffolk where Williara de Fraisn was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1156. A few years later, Thomas del Freisn was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Herefordshire in 1206 and in London, early rolls there show Peter de Frane in 1228. Cristina Freen was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275 and the Hundredorum Rolls of 1279 list William a la Freyne in Oxfordshire. John del Freyn was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1280. 1 The variants Franey, Freeney and others have the same root origin, but early rolls have typically listed separate entries. By example, William de Freisneto, de Fraisneto was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1170 and 1176. Ingelrammus del Freinei was found in Herefordshire in the Pipe Rolls of 1204 and one year later, Alicia de Fresnei was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Rutland in 1205. Ingelram del Freidnei, del Frednei was found in the Pipe Rolls for Herefordshire in 1205. In Cambridgeshire, William de Freiney was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1207 and Reginald de Freney was listed in the Feet of Fines for Rutland in 1244. 1 Early History of the Frainey familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frainey research. Another 142 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1140, 1172, 1350, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1824 and 1838 are included under the topic Early Frainey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Frainey Spelling VariationsFrainey has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Frainey have been found, including Frayne, Freyne, Frene, Frenye, Freny, Frenney, Frenny, Frennes, Frenes, Frenye, Frain, Frayn, Fraine and many more. Early Notables of the Frainey familyMore information is included under the topic Early Frainey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Frainey family to IrelandSome of the Frainey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Another 119 words (8 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 Frainey familyIn an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Fraineys 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..
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
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