The
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Fychett family, who lived in
Essex. The name, however, is a reference to Montfitchett in Calvados,
Normandy, the family's place of residence prior to the
Norman Conquest of
England in 1066.
Early Origins of the Fychett family
The surname Fychett was first found in
Essex at Stansted Mountfitchet, a village and civil parish in the union of Bishop-Stortford that dates back to the
Domesday Book when it was listed as Stanesteda. By c.1290, the village was known as Stansted Mounfichet from the Muntfichet (Montfitchet) family who resided there since the 12th century.
[1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4) However, other records date back further revealing Robert Gernon Montfitchet holding lands there at the time of the Conquest that included a castle, of which there are still some remains. Another source claims the name is "descended from Robert Gernon, a great
tenant in [the] Domesday [Book]. His son, according to Morant, took this name from the castle of Stanstead, county
Essex, from the raised mount which he there constructed. "
[2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lowe, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Early History of the Fychett family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fychett research.
Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1296 and 1312 are included under the topic Early Fychett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Fychett Spelling Variations
Before the last few
hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason,
spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Fychett were recorded, including Muschat, Muschet, Montfichett, Montfiquet and many more.
Early Notables of the Fychett family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Fychett Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Fychett family to the New World and Oceana
The unstable environment in
England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like
Ireland,
Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Fychett arrived in North America very early: George Muschcat, who settled in Philadelphia in 1774; Martin Muscheck settled in Philadelphia in 1867; John Fitchett settled in Virginia in 1635; William and Rebecca Fitchett settled in Philadelphia in 1773..