Fretchville History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Fretchville family

The surname Fretchville was first found in Sussex where the family name was first referenced in the year 1296 when John de Freshfield held estates in the county. The parish of Staveley in Derbyshire was an ancient family seat. "This place was for many generations the seat of the Frecheville family, of whom Sir John, an active royalist in the reign of Charles I., strongly fortified his mansion, and, having raised a battery of twelve pieces of cannon, held it against the parliamentarian forces for a considerable time, but in August 1644 was obliged to surrender by capitulation." 1

Early History of the Fretchville family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fretchville research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1327, 1544, 1603 and 1632 are included under the topic Early Fretchville History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fretchville Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Fretchville were recorded, including Freshfield, Frechville, Frechfield, Freshton, Froshfield, Freshwell, Fretchwell, Frecheville and many more.

Early Notables of the Fretchville family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fretchville Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fretchville family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Fretchville family emigrate to North America: settlers, who arrived along the eastern seaboard, from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands.

The Fretchville 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: Nobilitatis virtus non stemma character
Motto Translation: Virtue, not lineage, is the mark of nobility.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.