| ![Show Contents]() Fratwell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of FratwellWhat does the name Fratwell mean? The surname Fratwell is Anglo-Saxon in origin; the name is derived from "Fritwell," the name of a town located in Oxfordshire. This name is probably taken from the Old English "freht," meaning "augury," and "well," meaning "spring, stream." Early Origins and Etymology of FratwellThe surname Fratwell was first found in Oxfordshire, where the town of Fritwell is located. The name was recorded as Fertwelle 1 in the Domesday Book 2. It is possible that the progenitor of the surname was a descendant of Reginald Wadard, who was granted land in Fritwell after the Norman Conquest of 1066, as recorded in the Domesday Book. The earliest recorded bearer of the name was Milo de Freteuill, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1204. Early History of the Fratwell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fratwell research. Another 138 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1204, 1219, 1240, 1510, 1574, 1765 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Fratwell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Fratwell Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Fratwell are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Fratwell include: Fretwell, Fratwell, Fretevile, Frettwell and others. Early Notables of the Fratwell familyMore information is included under the topic Early Fratwell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Fratwell familyMany English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Fratwell or a variant listed above: Ralph Fretwell, who traveled to Barbados in 1655; John Fretwell, who settled in Maryland in 1657; G. Fretwell, who came to Virginia in 1665; Roger Fretwell, who arrived in Maryland in 1671.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- 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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