The ancestors of the Furbank surname lived among the ancient
Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived near a scenic hillside. The surname Furbank is derived from the Old English words
fair, which means
lovely, and
bank, which means
bank or
hill. However, the first portion of the name may sometimes be derived from the Old English word
faern, which means
fern. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)Early Origins of the Furbank family
The surname Furbank was first found in
Cumbria at Firbank, anciently Frithbank, a parish of Kirby Lonsdale in
Westmorland.
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Historically part of
Westmorland, this village and civil parish has always been relatively small with a population of 199 in the late 1800s and today less than one
hundred people.
Early records show Robert Fairebank, son of Farebank in Yorkshire in 1583 [4]CITATION[CLOSE]
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X) and Robert Firebancke, of Wennington, parish of Mellinge listed in the Lancashire Wills at Richmond in 1638. [3]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Early History of the Furbank family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Furbank research.
Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1594, 1668, 1633 and 1637 are included under the topic Early Furbank History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Furbank Spelling Variations
Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago,
spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Furbank include Fairbanks, Fairbank, Fairbankes, Firbank and many more.
Early Notables of the Furbank family (pre 1700)
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Furbank Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Furbank family to Ireland
Some of the Furbank family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 78 words (6 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 Furbank family to the New World and Oceana
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck
England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in
England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Fairbank who settled in Virginia in 1653; Elizabeth Fairbanke settled in Barbados in 1691; Mr. & Mrs. Fairbanks arrived in Boston in 1764; George Fairbanks arrived in New York in 1842.
The Furbank 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: Finem respice
Motto Translation: Consider the end.