Show ContentsFrevene History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The rich and ancient history of the Frevene family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from a baptismal nameFrewen. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.

Early Origins of the Frevene family

The surname Frevene was first found in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 where William Frewyn, Sussex; and Ralph Frewyne, Oxfordshire were both listed as holding at that time. 1

"Several tenants prior to the Domesday Book bore it, as Frauuin, in Sussex, Frauuinus, in Devonshire, and Freowinus, in Suffolk. Its Anglo-Saxon form is Freawin, signifying 'dear or devoted to Frea.' " 2

Early History of the Frevene family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frevene research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1062, 1430, 1473, 1543, 1558, 1583, 1588, 1592, 1612, 1628, 1629, 1660, 1664, 1681, 1693, 1698 and 1761 are included under the topic Early Frevene History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frevene Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Frevene have been found, including Frewen, Frewin, Frewyn and others.

Early Notables of the Frevene family

Distinguished members of the family include John Frewen (1558-1628), English Puritan divine, descended from an old Worcestershire family, was born in 1558. 3 Accepted Frewen (1588-1664), was Archbishop of York, born in Sussex and became a fellow of Oxford in 1612. He "was the eldest son of the Rev. John Frewen [q. v.], rector of Northiam, Sussex. The family appears to have been originally of Worcestershire, as Richard Frewen, the father of John Frewen, was son of Roger Frewen, who was buried at Hanley Castle in 1543, and grandson of Richard Frewen, bailiff of Worcester in 1473. Accepted Frewen was born at...
Another 109 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Frevene Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Frevene family to Ireland

Some of the Frevene family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 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 Frevene family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Frevene, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : William Frewen who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1716; Patrick and John Frewen arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1866; Thomas and Mary Frewin arrived in Philadelphia in 1774..



The Frevene 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: Mutare non est meum
Motto Translation: It is not my nature to change.


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print


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