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http://www.one-name.org/profiles/fernyhough.html The accepted meaning of the name is of someone who lived at or near a fern covered hill or cliff. The actual location is in Staffordshire in either the Leek or Endon parish.
Historical occurrences
There are many historical references to the name including:
- 1315 John Fernyhough of Fernyhough, a small estate in Staffordshire.
- 1327 and 1332 Adam de Fernihaugh, assessed for tax at Endon (Subsidy Roll).
- 1349 William son of Adam del Fernyhalgh of Cheteldon (Assizes).
- 1621 The will of William Fernihough of Fernihough was proved. He bequeathed Fernyhough to his daughter Ellen, who was married in 1603 to John Unwin of Clough House. They had no children. The will was contested in Chancery as the property had been entailed in the male line. Ellen gave up her rights and the property was still with the Fernyhough family until at least 1705.
- 1621 and 1629 John Fernyhough elected mayor of Newcastle under Lyme.
- 1742 Thomas Fernyhough died having been town cryer at Leek for many years.
- 1844 Thomas Fernyhough died, having been Governor of the Military Knights of Windsor. In 1828 he wrote a book about the military exploits of the four Fernyhough brothers of Staffordshire. He was a keen genealogist and worked for many Staffordshire families, using his grace and favour residence in Windsor Castle as a convenient locality for researching in national archives. He assisted William Salt in his famous historical collection, which later became the nucleus for the William Salt Library in Stafford.
- 1938 Eric Fernihough was killed in Hungary while attempting to improve on his own world speed records for motorcycle and motorcycle with sidecar.
- 1993 Ernest Fernyhough died having been personal private secretary to Harold Wilson 1967-7.
- Living - Bryan Fernyhough, composer and professor of music.
- Living - Rowland Fernyhough, show jumper and trainer.