Fesant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Fesant

What does the name Fesant mean?

The proud Norman name of Fesant was developed in England soon after Norman Conquest of England in 1066. It was name for a pheasant, derived from the Middle English word "fesaunt" 1 which in turn was derived from the Old French word "faisain." 2

Not all of the family emigrated to England, as the Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae lists Radulphus le Paisant in Normandy 1180-1195. 3

Early Origins of the Fesant family

The surname Fesant was first found in Sussex where John Falsant was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1166. Later, Thomas Fesaunt was found in the Assize Rolls for Warwickshire in 1221 and Richard le Feisant, le Falsant was found in Jersey in 1229. In Oxfordshire, Roger Fesant was listed at Oseney in 1241. 1

Again, in Oxfordshire the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included an entry for Robert Fesuant. The Close Rolls of Edward III included an entry for John ffesaunt. 2 (The use of "ff" was not uncommon at this time.)

Willelmus Faysand was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. In Norfolk, we found William Fesaunt was rector of Wood Rysing, Norfolk in 1380. 4

On the lighter side, one researcher noted that "In England I have heard of a Miss Partridge, who married a Mr. Pheasant, and her sister married a Mr. Partridge. There was some other bird in the family." 5 This researcher postulates "this name, as well as Fesant, Fazan, Fazon, are probably from Lepheasant, near St. Austel, [Cornwall, England.]"

Early History of the Fesant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fesant research. Another 139 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1476, 1510, 1550, 1580, 1600, 1642, 1643, 1649 and 1767 are included under the topic Early Fesant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fesant Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Fesant have been found, including Phessant, Pheasant, Pheassant, Phessent, Fessant, Fesant, Fessant, Vessent and many more.

Early Notables of the Fesant family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Peter Phesant (1580-1649), an English judge, son of Peter Phesant, barrister-at-law, of Gray's Inn. He was born probably...
Another 26 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fesant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Fesant family to Ireland

Some of the Fesant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 62 words (4 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 Fesant family

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Fesant were among those contributors: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Sources +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Charnock, Richard, Stephen, Ludus Patronymicus of The Etymology of Curious Surnames. London: Trubner & Co., 60 Paternoster Row, 1868. Print.