Show ContentsFrithe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Frithe family

The surname Frithe was first found in Norfolk where Richard de la Fryth was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 in Norfolk. 1 Another source lists John atte Frithe in Norfolk but no date is given. 2

Later, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Thomas atte Fryth. 1

"Robert Firth was the name of two mayors of Doncaster [Yorkshire] in the reigns of Henry VII. and Henry VIII., and the name is still in the town." 3

Further to the north in Scotland where most people claim descent, "there is a place named Firth near Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire." 4 The name of this town in turn comes from the ancient word "firth" meaning "bay."

Early History of the Frithe family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frithe research. Another 169 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1522, 1565, 1606 and 1630 are included under the topic Early Frithe History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frithe Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Frithe occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Firth, Fyrth, Firthe, Firths and others.

Early Notables of the Frithe family

More information is included under the topic Early Frithe Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Frithe migration to the United States +

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Frithe, or a spelling variation of the surname include:

Frithe Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Frithe, aged 23, who arrived in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Assurance" 5


The Frithe 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: Deus incrementum dedit
Motto Translation: God has given increase.


  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. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  3. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  4. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  5. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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