| ![Show Contents]() Fitzstephens History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Early Origins of the Fitzstephens familyThe surname Fitzstephens was first found in Wales where Robert FitzStephen (d. 1183?), was "one of the original Norman conquerors of Ireland. He was the son of Stephen, constable of Aberteivi (Cardigan), and of Nesta, daughter of Rhys ab Tewdwr, king of South Wales. In 1157, Robert followed Henry II's expedition into North Wales, and narrowly escaped the ambush in which his half-brother, the king's son, was slain. His inheritance included Cardigan,_Ceredigion' target='_blank'>Cardigan and Cemmes, and he became constable of Cardigan town in succession apparently to his father. In November 1166 he was betrayed by his own men into the hands of his cousin, Rhys ab Gruffydd, with whom he was then at war. In the spring of 1169 Fitzstephen, with his half-brother, Maurice Fitzgerald (d. 1176), landed in Ireland at Baganbun or Bannow, near Wexford. They were accompanied by thirty knights, sixty men-at-arms, and three hundred Welsh foot soldiers." 1 William FitzStephen (d. 1190?), was the biographer of Becket, and styled himself the archbishop's 'concivis.' He was in the closest connection with Becket for ten years or more, as his 'clericus et convictor.' 1 Early History of the Fitzstephens familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fitzstephens research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1120, 1150, 1164, 1166, 1169, 1171, 1172, 1176, 1183, 1190, 1191 and 1538 are included under the topic Early Fitzstephens History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Fitzstephens Spelling VariationsEndless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Fitzstephen, Fitzsteven, Sleyne, Sliney, Sloyan, Sline and many more. Early Notables of the Fitzstephens familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Thomas FitzStephen (died 1120), illegitimate son of sea captain for William the Conqueror, Robert Fitz-Stephen (c.1150), a Welsh soldier, and William Fitzstephen (died 1191), servant of Thomas a Becket.Robert FitzStephen (d. 1183?), was one of the original Norman conquerors of Ireland and the son of Stephen, constable of Aberteivi (Cardigan), and of Nesta, daughter of Rhys ab Tewdwr, king of South Wales. Robert followed Henry II's expedition into North Wales, and narrowly escaped the ambush in which his half-brother, the king's son, was slain. His inheritance included Cardigan and Cemmes, and he became...
Another 211 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Fitzstephens Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Fitzstephens family to IrelandSome of the Fitzstephens family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 77 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Fitzstephens migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Fitzstephens Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- George Fitzstephens, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "The Stratheden" in 1850 2
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The STRATHEDEN 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Stratheden.htm
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