Surname Fowsden - Meaning and Origin
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Fowsden: What does the surname Fowsden mean?
The surname Fowsden is believed to be of English origin, and is thought to be a variant of the name Fowkesen, deriving from the Old English personal name Fogga. The surname Fowkesen is thought to be derived from the Old English words 'fogan' meaning 'to bow' and 'sona' meaning 'son'. Thus the surname Fowsden could be translated to mean 'son of a bower', which likely referred to a bower in a forest setting or someone who lived in such an area.
The earliest record of the Fowkesen name appears in 1245, when William de Foggesen is mentioned in the Feet of Fines Rolls of Surrey. The first written record of the Fowsden surname is in 1578, when one Margaret Fowsden was recorded in the subsidy rolls of Lincolnshire.
Fowsden remains a relatively rare surname across England today, however, there are still some who bear the surname and originate from areas such as Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and nearby counties. The Fowsden family can also be found in Australia, the UK and the United States.
The surname Fowsden has a long and interesting history, likely originating from a very specific occupation centuries ago. For those who bear the Fowsden surname today, the name symbolizes something unique and special that has been passed through the generations of their family for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisFowsden: Where does the name Fowsden come from?
Fowsden is an uncommon surname today, although it was once more widespread in the Middle Ages. The name has its roots in Olde English and is derived from the word fōd, meaning bird, and dun, meaning hill. The name thus literally translates to 'bird hill', and references a high location associated with birds.
Much of the modern day presence of the name is concentrated in the southern area of England,specifically in the regions of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. However, occurrences of the name can also be found further afield in Sussex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and even as far as North Yorkshire.
The name appears in records throughout the centuries, with the first known reference being of one William de Fowsden during the reign of King John in 1203. The rise of the industrial revolution saw the surname become more widely spread across the English Isles.
Today, due to the mobility of our population, the surname has become fewer and farther between, particularly in more rural areas. Although a rather uncommon name in current day, the last name of Fowsden is still alive and well in many regions of southern England, probably as a reminder of the old bird-filled hills.
Variations of the surname Fowsden
The surname Fowsden is an English local name from the parish of Fawshere in Devon. It is derived from the Old English terms "faeshere" and "fyrsstaene," meaning a fern or a rush, and a stone, respectively. Variants of the surname include Fowser, Fosher, Foser, Fozzard, Fosseard, Fuzard, and Fuzzard.
Fowser is a common variations of Fowsden and is often found with other suffixes such as Fowzer, Fouser, Fousard, and Fowzerd.
Fowser, Fouser, and Fousard can also be found as Fozzer, Fuzzer, and Fuzzard. In some cases, these variants may be found as Fozzerd, Fuzzerd, and Fuzzerd.
Fowzeard, Fozzeard, and Fozard are other spellings of Fowsden sometimes seen in genealogical records.
Surnames that are likely derived from the original spelling of Fowsden include Fayshir, Fysher, and Fyshier. These names can be found in different spellings such as Fayshire, Fysherd, and Fysheird.
The surname Fowsden has many different spelling variants, making it difficult to trace its origin. In order to locate the original spelling, it is important to look for variants in original genealogical records. Comparing the spelling and pronunciations of the various variants will be the key to accurately tracing the surname back to its original source.
Famous people with the name Fowsden
- James Fowden: James is a highly acclaimed British screenwriter and producer with over 30 years of experience. He was nominated for the 2020 Prime-time Emmy for his work on the series His Dark Materials.
- Tom Fowden: Tom is a professional rugby player for Leicester Tigers in Leicester, England.
- Victoria Fowden: Victoria is an Australian actress and model best known for her roles in television series such as Home and Away and Crownies.
- Martin Fowden: Martin is the chair of the British Rowing Council and the former deputy chair of UK Athletics.
- Ronald Fowden: Ronald was a noted British oil painter and sculptor and the president of the Society of Graphic Art in London from 1961-1965.
- Michael Fowden: Michael was an influential British doctor and psychiatric teacher. He was the first to propose a theory of depression from a medical perspective in 1988.
- Mark Fowden: Mark is a British journalist, author, and broadcaster who specializes in business, economy, and finance-related topics.
- John Fowden: John was a British philosopher and professor at King's College London from 1961-1994. He is best known for his works on the philosophy of religion, epistemology, and logic.
- Guy Fowden: Guy was a prominent British politician and barrister. He was the Member of Parliament for Brighton Kemptown from 1966-1974.
- Justin Fowden: Justin a former rugby union player for Bedford Blues and Newcastle Falcons. He represented England in two Rugby World Cups.