Juan Famenias Floris came to England in 1730 from his home island of Menorca, via Montepellier in France, where he had learned to blend fragrance essences. He settled in Jermyn Street, near the Royal Court of St. James and in the heart of gentleman's clubland, as a barber and comb maker. His products soon became the talk of London society and he enjoyed considerable success. He created individual fragrances for his customers, carefully preserving the recipes so he could supply them again when needed. He married Elizabeth Hodgkiss, with whom he had seven children.
The current company is run by the eighth generation, John Bodenham and Christopher Marsh, both great-great-grandchildren of Mary Anne Floris, herself a great-granddaughter of Juan, the founder. Mary Anne Floris married James Bodenham, hence the change of family name. The company has been awarded Warrants to the Royal Court over sixteen times; it is now "Perfumers to HM The Queen Elizabeth II" and "Manufacturers of Toilet Preparations to HRH The Prince of Wales."
