Hi Cathy, I've been researching the name and the early history of the Fays for some time and it is fascinating. All my research points to the Fay's originating in the Roman providence of Gaul. Present day France occupies much of what was Gaul. The name Fay, I understand from language experts, is from the Old French "Fau" meaning "grove of beech trees". There are a variety of variations throughout what was at one time the Frankish Kingdom and then the Holy Roman Empire under Charlemagne. At one time it included Northern Spain, northern Itally, Germany Switzerland, Bavaria and the Saxon areas, and the Duchy of Normandy. I have received correspondance indicating that the native tongue of the ancient Fay's was likely Occitan. The correspondance also indicates there are European Fay genealogies going back to the third century. I would love to see an on list discussion of this topic! I have more info on the medevial Irish Fay's that I'll post later this week. It's a wondeful story too. Bob Fay ----Original Message Follows---- From: "Cathy" <blueant@bluecloud.fsnet.co.uk> To: FAY-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [FAY] FAY, JOHN OPF #1 (1648-1690) Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 02:44:54 +0100 Hi Does anyone on this list know of the Irish Fay's? I understand that Fee is also a variant of Fay. My Mother's maiden name was Fay. I would love to have more info. on the name. Cathy ----- Original Message ----- From: "FAY LIST" <postingsonly@hotmail.com> To: <FAY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: 15 August 2000 02:32 Subject: Re: [FAY] FAY, JOHN OPF #1 (1648-1690) > Hi Mary, > > I have read occasionally that John Fay is linked to the Fay's in Hampshire, > England. Other times mention was made of Welsh origins. Either is consistant > with the Norman branches of the Fay's. Have you any thoughts as to > Hampshire, England or Welsh origin? > > Bob Fay > ________________________________________________________________________ > Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com > > > ============================== > Search ALL of RootsWeb's mailing lists in real time. > RootsWeb's Personalized Mailing Lists: > http://pml.rootsweb.com/ > > ============================== Search ALL of RootsWeb's mailing lists in real time. RootsWeb's Personalized Mailing Lists: http://pml.rootsweb.com/ ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com