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Originally known as Armorica, ancient Brittany was inhabited by the Celtic Tribes of Veneti, Curiovalitae and the Asismii iln the 3 rd century B.C.
The name Phoal is believed to have Originated in this area of France. In the 4th century the Roman General Maximus, preparing To leave England to return to Rome, induced 6,000 Britons under their leader Prince Conan, Son of the King of Wales and Albany, To occupy Brittany. Constantine, King of Brittany was The grandfather of the celebrated King Arthur of England.
In the 6th century the Dukes of Brittany also became the Counts of Cornwall in the south West of England. In the 9th century the Dukes of Anjou, neighbors to the south, Intermarried with the Princesses of Brittany. In the 10th century the Dukes of Brittany Also intermarried into the house of the Dukes of Normandie.
The name Phoal was first Found in Brittany, originally Armorica in ancient times, where the family has been a Prominent family for centuries, and were seated with lands and manor. The family Were well established in the region of Dol and several members of the family Distinguished themselves through their contributions toward the community in which They lived and were rewarded with lands, titles and letters patent confirming their nobility.
Most surnames have experienced slight spelling changes. A son may not choose to spell His name the same way that his father did. Many were errors, many deliberate. Usually A person gave his version, phonetically, to a scribe, a priest, or a recorder. Prefixes or Suffixes varied. They were optional as they passed through the centuries, or were Adopted by different branches to signify either a political or religious adherence.
Hence, We have variations in your name, Phoal some of which are Foll, Fol, Le Foll, Folant, Folatre, Follain, Follet, Follin, Follot, Folliet, Follliot, Follereau, Foliquet, Folliguet, All are derived from the basic origin of the surname.
The 10th century Brittany reflected a closer relationship to the newly formed Dukedom of Normandie on their eastern borders. Geoffrey, Duke of Brittany married Hawise, daughter Of Richard II, Duke of Normandie in 1002 A. D. Popular names among the Dukes of Brittany at this time was Alain, Geoffrey and Etienne.
The dispute which arose between the Kings of England and the Kings of France for Absolute rule over Brittany emerged as the focal conflict during the next two or three Centuries. The Duke of Normandy, now King of England, claimed Brittany and Normandy. �
King Henry of England married Eleanor of Aquitaine and thus acquired most Of north and western France. In 1365, Brittany renewed relations with France. Brittany was Finally annexed by the French Crown in 1532 and reverted to a duchy.
The name Phoal is found in Brittany, where the family goes back to the time during the period When it was the Duchy of Brittany of Duke Conan IV and held the estates of Kerroc'h. Pierre de Dreux married the daughter of Conan. This ancient family grew deep roots in the North and from very early on could be found in neighbouring Normandy where they also Held seats and estates. The family grew and prospered as a Norman noble family and Established branches in England, Flanders, Burgundy, Liege, Paris and even into Bavaria And Germany. In Flanders they held the la Riviere estate, and in Normandy the Argennes Estates. In Austria there were raised to the nobility as Counts and in Flanders they held The Houssoye title and estates. Notable amoungst the family name at this time was Foll Or Follet family of Brittany.
France became aware of her European leadership in the early 16th century. The New World Beckoned. The explorers led missionaries to North America settlements along the eastern Seaboard including New France, New England, New Holland, and New Spain. Jacques Cartier made the first of three voyages to New France in 1534.
Champlain came in 1608. His plans for developing Quebec fell far short of the objectives of the Company of New France. Champlain brought the first migrant, Louis Hebert, a Parisian apothecary, and his family, who Arrived in 1617.
In 1643, 109 years after the first lands by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec, Migration was slow. Early marriage was desperatly encouraged amongst the immigrants. The Fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. 15,000 explorers left Montreal in the 17th and 18th centuries.
By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the Acadian prensence in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island had reached 500.
In 1755, 10,000 French Acadians refused to take an oath of allegiance to England and were deported to Louisiana. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding Nations of Canada.
Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Phoal were including Man of the name who migrated to the New World from the mid 17th century onward.
The distinguished family name Phoal has made significant contributions to the culture, arts, Sciences and religion of France and New France; Many of the name contributed to the Society on both sides of the Atlantic.
Research has determined the above Coat of Arms tobe the most ancient recorded for the Family surname Phoal.