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French Family History
French Genealogy & Family TreeFrench is an Irish name from Devon, England, where the earliest known ancestor--Theophilus de France--accompanied Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke, in conquering Ireland. It referred to those who were French/Franks. Alternately, it comes from the Old French word Fraxinus which means "Ash tree." The family motto is Malo mori quam foedari which means "I would rather die than be disgraced."
Other spellings include "Frenche." Notable people with the surname include Irish novelist Tana French (In the Woods, The Likeness, Faithful Place), American baseball player Charlie French (Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox), and British actress Dawn French (Coraline, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Vicar of Dibley). The first French to come to America was Alice French in Massachusetts in 1630.
French Birth Records
- Name Birth Date Death Date Location
- Theodore French -- --, 1759 Massachusetts
- William French -- --, 1483 February 7, 1561
- Robert French -- --, 1600 June 25, 1600
- Sarah (Sally) French -- --, 1754 January 2, 1854
- John French -- --, 1655 February 25, 1724 Massachusetts
French Death Records
- Name Birth Date Death Date Location
- Mary French -- --, 1623 February 1, 1696
- Viola Harriett French -- --, 1913 February 11, 2018 Michigan
- Harry T. French -- --, 1858 December 0, 1930
- John French -- --, 1846 December 0, 1920 Massachusetts
- Joseph French -- --, 1761 December 0, 1830
