Lucy McAlester

Descendant of Rev. Thomas Faulconer/Faulkner :

REV. THOMAS FAULCONER (1594-aft 1645), the immigrant, was born in Sussex, England and died in Virginia. On 28 Aug 1615 in Twineham Parish, Sussex County, England, he married Margaret Underhill (1598-1650). At he age of 28, he sailed to America on the ship "Mary Providence" in the year 1622. The passage was sponsored by Robert Salford, who had arrived in 1611. Persons who could not afford passage across the ocean would agree to work as indentured servants for a sponsor for an agreed upon period of time. Then they would be given fifty acres of land and their freedom. As they in turn prospered, they could then bring others over, using the same arrangement. An additional incentive for the sponsor was that he was given fifty more acres for each person he brought over. This is the way Thomas got here, and later he brought others as well. Thomas landed at Elizabeth City in the Commonwealth of Virginia, later to become Elizabeth City County. This county is now a part of the City of Hampton, Virginia. Thomas was listed among those living in Elizabeth City in the census of 16 Feb 1623. By 1639, Thomas was able to transfer fiver persons from England for which he received 250 acres for himself. His wife Margaret was one of those persons being transferred. He became a minister of the Church of England, however it is not known if he received his education in England or after he came to Virginia. One of the oldest churches still standing in Virginia is St. Luke's Church in Smithfield. It is located on State Route 10 just east of Smithfield. It was built of brick in 1632, the roof fell in 1887 and restoration was completed in 1894. While its early records are lost, it is known that its first minister was Thomas Faulkner. He is listed in the Colonial Clergy of Virginia as being the minister of Warwisqueake Parish in Isle of Wight County in 1642. The William and Mary Quarterly, Volume 7, page 209, states that until March 1642, Isle of Wight County had but one parish, and that Rev. Thomas Faulkner was the minister. Thomas and Margaret either did not leave a will or at least none has survived, therefore it is not known how many children they actually have. Their known children were David and Thomas.

Sources: "Thomas Faulconer and His Descendants", by James G. Faulconer and "Faulconers of Virginia" by J. William Mann

FAULCONER INFO Randelph de Lunkyis of France, from whom the Faulconer family is descended, was Royal Falconer of King William, the Lion of Scotland (?-1214). Lunkyis was taken prisoner by the English in 1174 and taken to England. In the time of King Edward II (1284-1327), a grant of arms was made to Sir John Le Faulconer of Derby and Nottingham, England. Branches of this family also held large landed estates in Scotland and Ireland. The name Faulconer has been spelled Faulner, Falkiner, Falkner, Falconer, Faucener, and Fauconier. It is believed to have been given to its original holder because of this love of, or proficiency in, falconry, the sport of kings, which was popular in the Middle Ages.

COAT OF ARMS Arms: Argent, three falcon close gules Crest: A Falcon close gules Motto: Utile dulcis Authority: Burke's General Armory, 1878 edition, page 342 Tinctures: The shield is of silver; The falcons are red; The falcons are red The mantle and wreath are red and silver

Notes: This arms is recorded by Burke, best considered of all the published heraldic authorities, as authentic for Faulconer of Leicestershire. The same arms is recorded by Burke for Faulkner with the crest "a lure or between two falcons' wings proper."

The helmet, steel gray; the mantle, the first color and metal used on the shield. The helmet and mantle though not a necessary part of the Coat of Arms, are permitted by Heraldic Law and are added for their decorative effect.