| ![Show Contents]() Fransaw History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 England The name Fransaw reached England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Fransaw family lived in Norfolk, at Great Fransham or Little Fransham, parishes in the union of Mitford and Launditch, hundred of Launditch. Little Fransham's old Hall, "now a farmhouse, contains a room in which Queen Elizabeth is said to have slept one night, when on a tour through Norfolk." 1 Bother parishes date back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when they were one and known as Frandesham. 2 At this time Fransham consisted of 3 mills. Early Origins of the Fransaw familyThe surname Fransaw was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of the village of Fransham. The village of Fransham in 1086 was held by Gilbert from William de Warenne, the overlord whose line later became the Dukes of Warwick. Conjecturally, the Fransham name is directly descended from Gilbert, who was probably the son or nephew of William of Warenne. William, Count of Warren in Normandy, was a great friend and trusted companion of Duke William, the Conqueror of England in 1066. He married Gundreda, daughter of Queen Matilda. William, who fought at the Battle of Hastings, was one of the nobles who ruled England when Duke William returned to Normandy from time to time. Early History of the Fransaw familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fransaw research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1198, 1273, 1334, 1660, 1730, 1743 and 1810 are included under the topic Early Fransaw History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Fransaw Spelling VariationsBefore the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Sound was what guided spelling in the Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Fransaw family name include Fransham, Francham, Frensham, Frenchum, Franchum, Franchem, Franshem, Frencham, Franchomme and many more. Early Notables of the Fransaw familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was John Fransham (1730-1810), English freethinker, son of Thomas and Isidora Fransham. "He showed precocity at an elementary school. He wrote sermons, which the rector of St. George's thought good enough to submit to the dean. The aid of a relative, probably Isaac Fransham (1660-1743), an attorney, enabled him to study...
Another 58 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fransaw Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Fransaw familyTo escape the political and religious chaos of this era, thousands of English families began to migrate to the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. The passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe; however, those who made the voyage safely were encountered opportunities that were not available to them in their homeland. Many of the families that reached the New World at this time went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. Research into various historical records has revealed some of first members of the Fransaw family to immigrate North America: Stephen Frensham settled in Virginia in 1728; and a Mr Franchomme, who settled in Louisiana in 1719.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
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