Fyfes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Fyfes

What does the name Fyfes mean?

Fyfes was first used as a surname by descendants of the Pictish people of ancient Scotland. The ancestors of the Fyfes family lived in the county of Fife. The surname Fyfes belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. As a general rule, the greater the distance between individuals and their homelands, the larger the territory they were named after. For example, people who only moved to another parish would be known by the name of their original village, while people who migrated to a different country were often known by the name of a region or country from which they came.

Early Origins of the Fyfes family

The surname Fyfes was first found in Fife, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Fyfes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fyfes research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1436, 1447, 1453, 1454, 1462 and 1464 are included under the topic Early Fyfes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fyfes Spelling Variations

Repeated and inaccurate translation of Scottish names from Gaelic to English and back resulted in a wide variety of spelling variations with single names. Fyfes has appeared Fyfe, Fife, Fyffe, Phyfe, Phyffe and others.

Early Notables of the Fyfes family

More information is included under the topic Early Fyfes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fyfes family to Ireland

Some of the Fyfes family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fyfes family

Many Scottish families suffered enormous hardships and were compelled to leave their country of birth. They traveled to Ireland and Australia, but mostly to the colonies of North America, where many found the freedom and opportunity they sought. It was not without a fight, though, as many were forced to stand up and defend their freedom in the American War of Independence. The ancestors of these Scots abroad have rediscovered their heritage in the last century through the Clan societies and other organizations that have sprung up across North America. Immigration and passenger ship lists show some important early immigrants bearing the name Fyfes: John Fife who settled in Maryland in 1739; Alexander Fife settled in Jamaica in 1774; Isobell Fife and her child settled in New York State in 1775; James Fife settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1774.

The Fyfes 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: Virtute et opera
Motto Translation: By virtue and energy.