Feren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Ireland

Etymology of Feren

The rich and ancient history of the Feren family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from the given name Farimond. The surname Feren originally derived from the Old French word Ferrant which meant iron-grey. The surname Feren was later adopted in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. In Old English, patronyms were formed by adding a variety of suffixes to personal names, which changed over time and from place to place. For example, after the Norman Conquest, sunu and sune, which meant son, were the most common patronymic suffixes. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the most common patronymic names included the word filius, which meant son. By the 14th century, the suffix son had replaced these earlier versions. Surnames that were formed with filius or son were more common in the north of England and it was here that the number of individuals without surnames was greatest at this time.

Early Origins of the Feren family

Early History of the Feren family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feren research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1530, 1564, 1569, 1575, 1580, 1600, 1671 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Feren History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feren Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Feren have been found, including Farrant, Farrand, Farrin, Farrent, Farren and others.

Early Notables of the Feren family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Richard Farrant (c. 1530-1580), English composer of church music, choirmaster, playwright and theatrical producer who created the Blackfriars Theatre. The date of his first appointment is not known, but he resigned in April, 1564, on becoming Master of the Children of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, of which he is said to have been also a lay vicar and organist. During his tenure of office at Windsor he occupied 'a dwelling house within the Castle, called the Old Commons.'...
Another 86 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Feren Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Feren family to Ireland

Some of the Feren family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 76 words (5 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 Feren family

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Feren, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : Edward Farrand, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1853; and John Farrant, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1864.