Freake History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Early Origins of the Freake family

The surname Freake was first found in Norfolk where Richard de la Fryth was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Norfolk. 1 Another source lists John atte Frithe in Norfolk but no date is given. 2

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Thomas atte Fryth. 1

"Robert Firth was the name of two mayors of Doncaster [Yorkshire] in the reigns of Henry VII. and Henry VIII., and the name is still in the town." 3

Further to the north in Scotland where most people claim descent, "there is a place named Firth near Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire." 4 The name of this town in turn comes from the ancient word "firth" meaning "bay."

Early History of the Freake family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Freake research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1522, 1565, 1606 and 1630 are included under the topic Early Freake History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Freake Spelling Variations

Although the name, Freake, appeared in many references, from time to time, the surname was shown with the spellings Firth, Fyrth, Firthe, Firths and others.

Early Notables of the Freake family

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

Freake migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of cholera, typhoid, dysentery or small pox. In North America, some of the first immigrants who could be considered kinsmen of the Freake family name Freake, or who bore a variation of the surname were

Freake Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Freake, who settled in Boston in 1665
John Freake, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1665 5

Freake migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Freake Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Charles Freake (aged 34), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Eliza"
Joseph Freake (aged 26), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Eliza"
Stephen Freake (aged 23), a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Eliza"
Martha Freake (aged 14), a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Eliza"

Contemporary Notables of the name Freake (post 1700) +

Sir Charles James Freake (1814-1884), 1st Baronet English architect and builder, best known for his famous 19th century facades in West London, including Eaton Square and Onslow Square
Sir Charles Arland Maitland Freake (1904-1951), 4th Baronet
Sir Thomas George Freake (1848-1920), 2nd Baronet
Sir Frederick Charles Maitland Freake (1876-1950), 3rd Baronet, British polo player at the 1900 and the 1908 Summer Olympics

The Freake Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Deus incrementum dedit
Motto Translation: God has given increase.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
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)