Show ContentsFrewynd History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Frewynd is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and 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 Frewynd family

The surname Frewynd 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 Frewynd family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frewynd 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 Frewynd History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frewynd Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Frewynd has been spelled many different ways, including Frewen, Frewin, Frewyn and others.

Early Notables of the Frewynd 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 Frewynd Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Frewynd family to Ireland

Some of the Frewynd 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 Frewynd family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Frewynds to arrive in North America: 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 Frewynd 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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