What's in a Name?

The name FITZJOHN simply means son of John. Its origins are Latin , Norman and early English And give a name of FILIUS JOHANUS .
An early example of its use as a surname is Richard Le Fiz Johan c1300 and John Le FitzJohan c1270. Also John Le Fitzjohn c1300 In these early days a surname was a new concept and because the son - of prefix applied It meant that a family surname changed with each generation. So Eustace Fitzjohn had a son called Pagan (also known as Pain) who was called Pain Fitzeustace. His children became Fitzpaine.
This confusing method of naming offspring gave way to our present fixed surnames around 1400.

Home

Introduction

What's in a Name?

Where are we From?

Workhouse or Factory?

Sources

Photo Gallery

Data Sets

Can You Help?

Contact
Graham.Fitzjohn@lineone.net

However a fixed surname had a lot of variety because few
people could read or write until relatively recent times.
Poor spelling and illiteracy therefore led to a wide variety
of Surnames as can be seen below with a few examples.

Marry Fidgiohn 1672 of Dunsby by Bourne
Henrie Fidgjohn c1607 0f Dunsby
John Fidian
Edmund Fidgeon 1619 of Baldock
Ffrancis Fidyn 1585 of Steeple Gidding
Edward Figion c1580 of Baldock
Jone Figyon c 1530 of Copmanthorpe
Walter Filzjohan c 1290
Will Fitchjohn c 1708 of Donnington in Holland
Elizabeth Fiteiohn c 1634 of Dunsby
Thomas Fitiohns c1560 of London
William Fitsjohn c1770 of Biggleswade
Adam Fitzjohan c1286 of Cherhill Wilts
Butler Fygjohn c 1530 of Hamerton

Left: The Seal of
Matthew Fitzjohn

Right: The shield of
Adam Fitzjohn of Cherhill Wilts

Left: The penny of
Eustace Fitzjohn 1138 - 53