Show ContentsFrowein History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The earliest origins of the name Frowein date back to the time of the Anglo-Saxons. The name is derived 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 Frowein family

The surname Frowein 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 Frowein family

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

Frowein Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Frowein include Frewen, Frewin, Frewyn and others.

Early Notables of the Frowein family

Distinguished members of the family include John Frewen (1558-1628), English Puritan divine, descended from an old Worcestershire family, was born in 1558. 3Accepted 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 Frowein Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Frowein family to Ireland

Some of the Frowein 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 Frowein family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Frowein or a variant listed above: 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 Frowein 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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