Show ContentsFraney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Franey

What does the name Franey mean?

The ancient surname Franey 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 Franey family

The surname Franey 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 Franey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Franey 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 Franey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Franey Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Franey were recorded, including Frayne, Freyne, Frene, Frenye, Freny, Frenney, Frenny, Frennes, Frenes, Frenye, Frain, Frayn, Fraine and many more.

Early Notables of the Franey family

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

Migration of the Franey family to Ireland

Some of the Franey 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.


Franey migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Franey family emigrate to North America:

Franey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • William Franey, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1838 3

Franey migration to Canada +

Franey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Ellen Franey, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1833

Contemporary Notables of the name Franey (post 1700) +

  • Mother Marie Helene Franey S.P. (1898-1953), American Superior General of the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana from 1948-1953
  • William Gerald "Billy" Franey (1889-1940), American film actor who appeared in more than 400 films between 1914 and 1940
  • Pierre Franey (1921-1996), French-born American chef, best known for his televised cooking shows and his "60 Minute Gourmet" column in The New York Times


  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. 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)
  3. 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)


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