There are several area/counties in the UK that can boast of Featherstone connections going back to the late 1500's and some area's which have links going back even earlier.

We have members researching in Kent, who are looking for links as early as 1670. Co. Durham is another area which can go back even earlier, and so can North Yorkshire. Derbyshire, Devon/Cornwall, Lincolnshire, and Lancashire. Warwickshire is another county which boasts early Featherstones too. Please click on the research link on the left to get an idea of where our members are searching.  Our USA members are looking for a Charles F, and trying to locate his birth place in the UK around 1637. See our map pages via the research link on the left, to get an overall impression of where Featherstones are located.

No one has actually pinpointed exactly where or how the name came into being. There are more than a few theories.

An early Saxon warrior chief, named Frithelstan, is supposed to have built a house in the haugh ( valley side), and was known as Frithelstan of the Haugh.

The story of the Feather like grain in local rock formations.

The Feudal stone which the locals paid their dues.

All have a certain merit, and you can see why, because with all of them, you can build up the name.

If you have another theory please contact the Webmaster

If you have Featherstone connections in Liverpool try this site http://mysite.freeserve.com/bigfamily/page7.html