Francis History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Francis

What does the name Francis mean?

The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Scotland were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Scottish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The surname Francis is derived from the popular medieval given name Franciscus. Francis is a patronymic surname, which belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. Many patronyms were formed when a son used his father's personal name as a surname, but in this case, the surname was originally derived from the famous religious figure, St. Francis of Assisi. The Francis family was established in Derbyshire, prior to the Norman invasion of England, in 1066.

Early Origins of the Francis family

The surname Francis was first found in Derbyshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Francis family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Francis research. Another 218 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1143, 1189, 1190, 1213, 1249, 1307, 1314, 1400 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Francis History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Francis Spelling Variations

The frequent translations of surnames from and into Gaelic, accounts for the multitude of spelling variations found in Scottish surnames. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation, or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Francis has also been spelled Francis, Frances, Franceys, Francies, Fraunces, Francys, Francess and many more.

Early Notables of the Francis family

William Francis of Scotland

Francis World Ranking

the United States, the name Francis is the 385^th most popular surname with an estimated 72,123 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Francis is ranked the 324^th most popular surname with an estimated 13,820 people with that name. 2 And in France, the name Francis is the 4,861^st popular surname with an estimated 1,500 - 2,000 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Francis as 145^th with 19,777 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Francis as 220^th with 2,582 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Francis as 169^th with 31,991 people. 6 South Africa ranks Francis as 552^nd with 12,589 people. 7

Migration of the Francis family to Ireland

Some of the Francis family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Francis migration to the United States +

Some of the first North American settlers with Francis name or one of its variants:

Francis Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Daniel Francis, who arrived in Virginia in 1624 9
John Francis, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 9
Richard Francis, who arrived in Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1636 9
Jon Francis, who landed in Virginia in 1637 9
James Francis, who settled in Virginia in 1640
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Francis Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Margaret Francis, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 9
Anne Francis, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 9
Nicholas Francis, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1759 9
Samuel Francis, who landed in America in 1760 9
Barnaby Francis, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1765 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Francis Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Adam Francis, who arrived in Maryland in 1802 9
Martha Francis, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 9
Patrick Francis, aged 33, who arrived in New York in 1812 9
Frank Hewson Francis, who arrived in America in 1812 9
Charles Francis, aged 38, who landed in Connecticut in 1812 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Francis migration to Canada +

Francis Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Edward Francis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
Edward Francis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Ann Francis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Peter Francis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Jerem Francis, who landed in Quebec in 1784
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Francis Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

William Francis, who arrived in Canada in 1820
James Francis, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1821
Miss. Margaret Francis, aged 3 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Champion" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle in September 1847 10
Mrs. Mary Francis, aged 60 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Seaton" departing 12th April 1847 from Belfast, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but she died on board 11
Miss. Mary Francis, aged 2 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Lord Seaton" departing 12th April 1847 from Belfast, Ireland; the ship arrived on 10th June 1847 but she died on board 11

Francis migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. Thomas Francis, (1770 - 1820), aged 20, British settler convicted in Warwickshire, England in 1789, sentenced to 14 years for receiving stolen goods, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
Mr. John Francis, British settler convicted in Essex, England in 1788, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. Job Francis, British settler convicted in Somerset, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Salamanda" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9
Mr. Peter Francis, (d. 1792), British settler convicted in Kent, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "William and Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 9

Third Fleet

Mr. William Francis, (b. 1763), aged 24, English settler convicted in Croydon, South London on 1st June 1785, sentenced for 14 years for highway robbery, transported aboard the ship "Alexander" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9

Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Francis Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Joseph Francis, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barwell" in September 1797, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12

Francis Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. James Francis, British settler who was convicted in Gloucestershire, England for life for stealing a cow, transported aboard the "Fortune And Alexander" on 31st December 1805, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. James Francis, British Convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 27th October 1819, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
Henry Francis, a engineer, who arrived in New South Wales, Australia sometime between 1825 and 1832
Anthony Francis, a weaver, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
William Francis, a bricklayer, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Francis migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Francis Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Francis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Joseph Francis, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Mr. John Francis, (b. 1806), aged 35, British agricultural labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 15
Mrs. Frances Francis, (b. 1805), aged 36, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841 15
Mr. Thomas Joshua Francis, (b. 1840), aged 9 months, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lord William Bentinck" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 24th May 1841, he died on board 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Francis migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Francis Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Mr. Peter Francis, aged 19, emigrating from East Looe, Cornwall to St Kitts, West Indies, to become an indebted servant to John Taylor, a yeoman and chapman originally from London, England on 19th July 1722 17

Contemporary Notables of the name Francis (post 1700) +

Dr. Norman Christopher Francis (b. 1931), American academic, President of Xavier University of Louisiana, recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2006)
Kay Francis (1905-1968), born Katharine Edwina Gibbs, an American stage and film actress, nicknamed the "Queen of Warner Brothers," at one time earning almost ten times the salary of Bette Davis
Connie Francis (1938-2025), Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero,an American pop singer, her "Who's Sorry Now?" was named one of the Songs of the Century
Elizabeth Francis (1909-2024), American supercentenarian, oldest living American (2024)
Herbert Edward Francis Jr. (1924-2024), American scholar, academic and writer
Russell Ross Francis (1953-2023), American professional football player who was a tight end for 13 seasons in the National Football League (NFL)
Esther Charlotte Emily Weisbrodt Francis (1836-1913), Italian-born, American Mormon pioneer
Joseph Charles Naekauna "Joe" Francis Jr. (1936-2013), American NFL and CFL quarterback
Joseph Francis (1801-1893), American inventor, best known for his life-car which rescued thousands of stranded passengers and crew from shipwrecks near the shore, recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal
... (Another 101 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Francis family +

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Catherine Wood Francis (1832-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 18
Mrs. Edith Francis (1883-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who survived the Halifax Explosion (1917) but later died due to injuries 19
Mr. Charles Francis (1883-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
Mr. Victor R Francis (b. 1902), English Leading Stoker serving for the Royal Navy from Attleborough, Norfolk, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 19
Mr. Charles A Francis (b. 1924), English Boy 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Great Bowden, Leicestershire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 20
... (Another 7 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
"Most Common Last Names in South Africa." Forebears, https://forebears.io/south-africa/surnames
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 29)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 76)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barwell
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to USA 1718 - 1759, Indentured servitude [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_america_1718_59_indentured_servitude.pdf
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm