Show ContentsFursdon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Fursdon

What does the name Fursdon mean?

The ancestors of the Fursdon surname lived among the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. The name comes from when they lived in an area of Devon that contained large amounts of the furze plant. This plant was a prickly shrub with yellow flowers and was often found in large amounts covering a heath.

Early Origins of the Fursdon family

The surname Fursdon was first found in Devon at Fursdon, a historic house and farming estate. "From the days of Henry III, if not from an earlier period, this ancient family has resided at this place from whence the name is derived." 1

Early History of the Fursdon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fursdon research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1340, 1620 and 1638 are included under the topic Early Fursdon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fursdon 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 Fursdon include Furse, Furze, Fursdon, Fursdonne and others.

Early Notables of the Fursdon family

Distinguished members of the family include

  • John Fursdon (d. 1638), was a Benedictine monk, the eldest son of Philip Fursdon of Fursdon in the parish of Cadbury, Devonshire and was born at Thorverton in that county. 2


Fursdon migration to the United States +

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:

Fursdon Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Fursdon, who landed in Maryland in 1637 3


The Fursdon 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: No desit virtus
Motto Translation: No lack of power


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
  3. 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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