Surname Fawle - Meaning and Origin

Fawle: What does the surname Fawle mean?

The last name Fawle is of English origin and is thought to be derived from the Old English word faɔla, which means fallow deer. In Medieval times, fallow deer were often kept in enclosed parks for hunting by the aristocracy, so the name Fawle likely came to refer to someone who had some connection to the fallow deer, such as a park keeper or gamekeeper. It can also refer to someone who lived near the park where the deer were kept.

The name Fawle is still a relatively common English surname today, and can be found in variations such as Fowle, Foul, and Fowles. As families moved around the world, different versions of the name may have developed. It is possible that some versions of the name, like Foule and Faul, could have arisen in parts of the world where English spelling conventions were different.

No matter the spelling variation, the name Fawle likely has the same origin of a connection to the fallow deer. It may have been that originally people with the name Fawle had some kind of connection to the park and the fallow deer it contained. However, over time, individuals with the surname Fawle may have moved away from the parks, but kept the name to remember their connection to these wild creatures.

Fawle: Where does the name Fawle come from?

The last name Fawle is not particularly common, although it does appear to be derived from a handful of European origins. The name can be found throughout western and central Europe, particularly Lichtenstein, France, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Sweden, and England. It is also well established in the United States, particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. The surname is likely of French or German origin, derived from the Middle-High German word for falcon, falc, and likely first recorded its presence in Europe during the Middle Ages.

The surname has some connections to early heraldry, with one family of Fawles being granted a coat of arms in 1776. It is also suggested that several branches of the family had a connection to religious organizations. For example, one branch of the Fawles is documented to have been Catholic monks in the Middle Ages, while another branch is thought to have emigrated from the Netherlands in order to practice religion in England.

Today, the surname Fawle is far less common than it once was. It is still present in certain historical regions, although numbers of those bearing it have declined over time. This is likely the result of a combination of migration as well as the evolution of surnames over the centuries.

Variations of the surname Fawle

The surname Fawle is derived from the Old English terms ‘fagu’ and ‘fage’, which mean ‘grass’ or ‘cornfield’. The surname also appears as Faul, Fall, Fawell and Fowles.

Faul can be found as Faull, Fawell and Fahll. Faull is a variant in German-speaking countries, such as Bavaria and Swabia. Fawell is more common in England and the Welsh counties of Cheshire and Flintshire, where it derives from the Old English term ‘fael’, meaning ‘transitory’ or ‘ephemeral’. It also appears as Faulle and Faill.

The name Fall appears as Falle, Faull and Foall. Falle is the more common spelling of the name in Germany, while Faull is a variant mainly found in Lincolnshire.

The variants Fowles and Foulis come from the Old Norse ‘foul’, meaning ‘bird’. Fowles is found mainly in the Cotswolds, Worcestershire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire, while Foulis is mostly associated with Scotland. It also appears as Foulis-Reid.

Other surnames deriving from the same origins include Faw, Foy, Fawer and Fayer. Faw is found mainly in Somerset,while Foy is chiefly found in the West Midlands. Fawer is a variant found mainly in Wales, while Fayer is mainly associated with Devon and Cornwall.

In conclusion, the surname Fawle has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including Faul, Fall, Fawell, Fowles, Foulis, Faw, Foy, Fawer and Fayer. Each variant has a slightly different origin and regional associations.

Famous people with the name Fawle

• William Fawle (14th-century English soldier who fought in the Hundred Years' War)
• James Fawle (English footballer active in the late 19th century)
• Julius Fawle (18th-century German-born American painter who served as a Colonial-era professor at the College of William and Mary)
• Edward Fawle (British publisher, author, and entrepreneur who was active in the early 20th century)
• Anne Fawle (English journalist and television presenter)
• Cordero Deron Fawle (American basketball player in the NBA)
• Dorothy Fawle (British silent film actress active in the 1920s)
• Abigail Fawle (British film & Television Drama Production Assistant)
• Adam Fawle (American actor)
• Andrew Fawle (British composer)

Other surnames

FawlFawlle