| Frennes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms Etymology of FrennesWhat does the name Frennes mean? The ancient surname Frennes 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 Frennes familyThe surname Frennes 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 Frennes familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frennes 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 Frennes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Frennes Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Frennes has been recorded under many different variations, including Frayne, Freyne, Frene, Frenye, Freny, Frenney, Frenny, Frennes, Frenes, Frenye, Frain, Frayn, Fraine and many more. Early Notables of the Frennes familyMore information is included under the topic Early Frennes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Frennes family to IrelandSome of the Frennes 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 Frennes familyFor many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Frennes or a variant listed above: 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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