Firmyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Firmyn is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the given names Firmin, Farman or Ferman. "The great home of this name and all its varied forms was Norfolk. From hence it extended as Firmin into Essex. In these districts the surname is still common." [1]
The name may have been Norman in origin as Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae listed N. Firmin of Normandy,1180-95 and William Forman, 1198. [2]
Early Origins of the Firmyn family
The surname Firmyn was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat at Gateforth, which at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 was known as Gereford, and granted by the King to Ilbert de Lacy. [3]
As mentioned before, Norfolk quickly became the most popular county for the family. The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed: John Fayerman and Richard Fayrman, as both holding lands there at that time. [1]
Later more records were revealed. Walter Fayrman, was vicar of Lakenham, Norfolk in 1369 and Farman Alberd, was bailiff of Yarmouth in 1325. This same individual is found as Fairman Alberd in 1306. [4]
Early History of the Firmyn family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Firmyn research. Another 59 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1937, 1614, 1697, 1662, 1614, 1632, 1638, 1647, 1632, 1697, 1632 and 1635 are included under the topic Early Firmyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Firmyn 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 Firmyn have been found, including Fireman, Fermin, Firmin, Firmins, Firman, Virman and many more.
Early Notables of the Firmyn family (pre 1700)
Distinguished members of the family include Humphrey Brook Firman of Gateforth and Brayton in Yorkshire. Giles Firmin (1614-1697), was an English minister and physician, Deacon in the first church in Massachusetts of John Cotton, and ejected minister in 1662. he was the son of Giles Firmin, and was born at Ipswich in 1614. In 1632 he went with his father to New England. While at Boston, Massachusetts, he was ordained deacon of the first church, of which John Cotton was minister. At Ipswich, Massachusetts, he received in 1638 a grant of 120 acres of land. He practised medicine in New England, and...
Another 136 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Firmyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Firmyn family to Ireland
Some of the Firmyn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 54 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 Firmyn 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 Firmyn, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were : John Firman who settled in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630; Giles Firmin settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1634; William Firmins settled in Maryland in 1774.
Magni Rotuli Scaccarii Normanniae
Hundredorum Rolls
Domesday Book
The Firmyn 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: Firmus in Christo
Motto Translation: Firm in Christ.
^ 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)
^ Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
^ Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
Firmyn (English)