Research into the origins of the FRAME surname has revealed it was almost certainly influenced by Osulf fil FRAME (or Frane), Lord Belvoir du Plessis, thegn to King Edward the Confessor. The surnames DE FRAMÉ and LE FRESNE (pron. Frane) were found in Calvados, Normandy, less than 70 miles apart. Each was even nearer to LE Plessis-Grimoult, the fortification last held by Osulf’s son, Grimoult du Plessis, in 1047. The proximity is close enough to suggest a shared provenance between these families in Normandy, and for this reason the FRAME DNA PROJECT has been extended to include the surnames:-

DE FRAMÉ, FRAEME, FRAHM, FRAIM, FRAIME, FRAM, FRAME, FRAMINGHAM, FRAMLINGHAM, FRAMPTON, FRAMSDEN, FRAYM, FREAM, FREAME, FROAM, DE FRAINE, DE FREYNE, FRAIN, Frane, FRANEY, FRAYN, FRAYN, FREAN, FREEN, FREENEY, FRENEY, FRESNE, FREYNE, or any other variants thought to have evolved from these names.

The aim is to use Y-DNA testing to determine which of the variant surnames relate to a common ancestor. DNA testing for genealogy purposes is more economical through a surname DNA project such as this, rather than as an individual. Any males by natural descent carrying any of the above surnames or variants are most welcome to join the FRAME DNA project.

Further information on Osulf fil FRAME and/or DNA testing may be obtained at: http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/f/frame/

Best regards,

Julie FRAME Falk
Gordon Hamilton
Frame DNA Project
Co-Administrators