Surname Felbrigg - Meaning and Origin
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Felbrigg: What does the surname Felbrigg mean?
The last name Felbrigg is an English surname that is believed to be a variation or an altered spelling of the more well-known name Felbrigge. It is derived from the Old English personal name Felfrewic, which in turn is composed of two elements, 'fel' meaning 'brave' or 'bold', and 'frewic' meaning 'friend'. The surname is quite rare today and is most commonly associated with the village of Felbrigg in Norfolk, England, which was originally known as Felfrewic in the 13th century.
The Felbrigg family is thought to have originated from this area, and records show that a William de Felbrigg was listed as a landowner in the early 1300s. This suggests that he may have been the founder of a Felbrigg line in the area. It is also possible that the name originates further back in history, as the Anglo-Saxon personal name Felfrewic and its variations were popular in the 10th and 11th centuries.
The name has continued over the centuries, with descendants of the original Felbrigg family living in East Anglia and other parts of the UK and beyond. One of the most famous members of the family is Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer, the British author and philanthropist who inherited the Felbrigg estate in 1940. He is remembered today for his legacy of charitable works and his efforts to preserve the estate as a memorial to his ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisFelbrigg: Where does the name Felbrigg come from?
The last name Felbrigg is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, and is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is prevalent in England, particularly in East Anglia - the region around Norfolk.
The surname Felbrigg first appears in records from the 12th century, showing it to be an ancient name. During its formative period, the surname belonged to a small but influential Anglo-Saxon family who were mediaeval landlords in Norfolk. They owned the estate of Felbrigg Hall and held considerable power in the local area, providing several judges and officers to the county.
Felbrigg is still a popular surname in Norfolk today. Many families descended from the Felbriggs are scattered throughout the region and can be traced back to the parent house. There are also individuals with the name Felbrigg dispersed throughout neighbouring counties and in various parts of the United Kingdom.
The name Felbrigg is considered to be an old-fashioned name now, but there are still many people holding the name in the present day.
Variations of the surname Felbrigg
The surname Felbrigg has a number of different variants and spellings, as well as related surnames stemming from the same origin.
The most common variant of Felbrigg is Fellbrigg, which is found throughout England, however, the surname is also found spelled as Fallbrig or Felbrigge in certain parts of the country. The related surnames of Fallbrygge, Falbrygge, and Fallebrigge are derived from similar spelling variations of the original Felbrigg.
Out of England, in parts of Europe such as Germany and Austria, the name can be found spelled as Fehlbrigge or Filbrigg. In Scotland, the name is occasionally found spelled as Felbrig or Fallebrygg.
Other related surnames based on the same origin of Felbrigg include Geebregge, Bolbrig, Geebrigg, Bolbregg, Filbrygg, Flavrig, and Pollbregge, amongst others. All of these surnames originated from the same place in England, the manor of Felbrigg prior to the Thirteenth century.
In modern terms, any of these surnames with the same origin of Felbrigg can be interchangeable, and present as a variation of the same name.
Famous people with the name Felbrigg
- Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1906–1969), 3rd Baronet of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
- Sir Richard Weston (1561–1613), 1st Baronet of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
- Rev. Octavius Blue-Grey Weston (1799-1878), son of Sir Richard Weston
- Thomas Rider (1810–1889), the last private owner of Felbrigg Hall
- Kit Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1902–1969), 2nd Baronet of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
- Augustus Agar, 1st Viscount Bridgeman (1867-1957), British Admiral and the last male lineal descendant of the Weston family of Felbrigg Hall
- John Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1912–1969), 4th Baronet of Felbrigge Hall, Norfolk
- Clementina Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1908-1969), 5th Baronet of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
- Dame Joyce Anstruther, 3rd Baronetess of Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk