Surname Fookes - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Fookes: What does the surname Fookes mean?
The surname Fookes is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the personal name "Fulco." It is a patronymic name, meaning it is based on the name of a male ancestor. This name was common in Europe during the Middle Ages due to its association with a popular folk tale about a clever fox. The surname has several spelling variations, including Fooks, Foulks, Foulkes, and others. It was first recorded in England in the 13th century. This name spread to different parts of the world through British colonial expansion. It does not have a specific meaning in English as it is simply a familial name carrying the history of the ancestors who bore it. Like most surnames, it serves as an identifier of family lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisFookes: Where does the name Fookes come from?
The surname Fookes is thought to have descended from the Anglo-Saxon tribes in early British history, around the fifth century. It originated from the personal name Fulco. Over time, the name Fulco underwent many changes and evolved into various forms such as Fulk, Fowke, Fook, and eventually Fookes. These names would sometimes be further characterized by the addition of suffixes, leading to variants like Foulks, Fulkes, Fukes, and Fookes.
This last name isn't particularly common today. However, according to comprehensive databases that trace the distribution of surnames across the globe, the name Fookes is most prevalent in England and also found in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and some parts of Europe. Among these regions, it is most commonly found in England.
Variations of the surname Fookes
The surname Fookes has several variations and spellings according to different historical records and cultural influences. Variants of the name include Fooks, Fook, Fowkes, Fowke, Foakes, Foake, Fawkes, and Fawke.
The name has its roots in England and is derived from the personal name "Fulk." Fulk was a popular name during the Middle Ages and these variations or spellings stem from the different ways of pronouncing or transcribing the name over time and in different regions.
Some records show that these spelling variations might also be related to distinct families. For example, the families with surnames Fooks or Fookes might have been centered in the county of Dorset, while those with Fowkes or Fowke concentrated in Leicester or London. The folks with Foakes or Foake typically associated with Essex.
Fawkes or Fawke is another common variant of the same origin, notably remembered with Guy Fawkes, famous for the Gunpowder Plot in 1605. This spelling is prevalent in Yorkshire.
There may also be connections to similar-sounding names from other cultures, but these are the primary variants and spellings of this English-origin surname.
Famous people with the name Fookes
- Janet Fookes: She is a known British Conservative Party politician who served in the Parliament for Plymouth Drake and later, many other constituencies, from 1974 to 1997.
- Leslie Fookes: He was a British actor who worked in the TV, film and theater industry from the 1950s to late 1970s. His renowned roles were in popular series such as "Z-Cars" and "Dixon of Dock Green".
- Barbara Fookes: She is a recognized British watercolor artist who has exhibited her work in many galleries and has received multiple awards for her exquisite techniques and styles.
- Reginald Fookes: A prominent geographer and geotechnical engineer, he is noted for his contributions in geological hazards and environmental geology. His work has made significant impact on multiple disciplines such as civil engineering, environmental science, and risk management.
- Rev. Martin Fookes: An English-born Anglican priest who immigrated to Canada, he has made a name for himself in the religious circles of Canada. These are the notable individuals bearing the last name Fookes.