who were the first Freemasons?

The First Freemasons were the pet project of Thutmose 3 of Egypt.
The Rosicrucians also hold him in high regard... The group of Kheri-Heb priests later separated during the Roman period and became separate groups. One is based in Egypt, another in India, and some in Greece/Rome/USA. (& don't forget DUAT).

M7 2006.