EnglandThe 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 "Monfichet, or Montfiquet, in the arrondissement of Bayeaux, said to be so named from their Scandinavian ancestor. " [1] [2]
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. [3]
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]
"The castle of Montfichet long remained, as well as the Church of St. Catherine in the castle, a foundation of this family. About 1050 Robert, surnamed Guernon (moustache), Baron of Montfichet, witnessed a charter of Duke William (Gall. Christ. xi. Instr. 229). He had issue, 1, William de Montfichet, who d. s. p., when the barony devolved on William, the son of his brother; 2, Robert Guernon or Gernon, who held a great barony in Essex, &c., 1086. From his elder son William de Montfichet descended the Barons of that name, whose seats were at Stanstead Montfichet, Essex, and Montfichet Tower, London, of which city the Montfichets were hereditary standard-bearers or military chiefs in time of war. The younger branches retained the name of Gernon. Alured Gernon, brother of William de Montfichet, had estates in Essex and Middlesex 1130 (Rot. Pip.). Matthew, his son, 1135 witnessed a charter of William Montfichet (Mon. i. 803). Ralph, his son, 1165, held a fief from Montfichet in Essex, and was granted Bakewell, Derbyshire, by Richard I." [1]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fychett research. Another 181 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.
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.
More information is included under the topic Early Fychett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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..
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