| ![Show Contents]() Frean History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of FreanWhat does the name Frean mean? The ancient surname Frean 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 Frean familyThe surname Frean 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 Frean familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frean 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 Frean History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Frean Spelling VariationsOne relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Frean has appeared include Frayne, Freyne, Frene, Frenye, Freny, Frenney, Frenny, Frennes, Frenes, Frenye, Frain, Frayn, Fraine and many more. Early Notables of the Frean familyMore information is included under the topic Early Frean Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Frean family to IrelandSome of the Frean 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. Migration of the Frean familyAt this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Frean arrived in North America very early: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- 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)
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