The origin of the name Francis is Scottish and the Coat of Arms contains A silver shield with a red chevron between three red eagles displayed. The Crest is A falcon. The family motto is Ou le sort, Appelle.
Spelling variations include: Francis, Frances, Franceys, Francies, Fraunces, Francys, Francess and many more.
First found in Derbyshire where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Bedford Francis who settled in Virginia in 1642; James Francis settled in Virginia in 1640; William also settled in Virginia in 1653; Charles, Frederick, George, Henry, John, Patrick, Richard, Thomas and William Francis, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1860. Typical of the name is the Francis group who landed in Virginia in 1608.
