Surname Feanes - Meaning and Origin

Feanes: What does the surname Feanes mean?

The surname Feanes is a patronymic name which originated in Spain, and is derived from the name "Fernandez", an old personal name. The personal name Fernandez is thought to be derived from the Latin phrase, "filius Fernandi", which literally translates as "son of Fernando" or "son of Fernan".

This surname was likely adopted by people who had personal connections to the original bearer of the name Fernandez. Those who carried the name Feanes were likely to have been from a powerful family who had noble lineage. The Feanes surname had a variety of spellings in different regions, such as Fernandez, Feran, and Fennes.

In some cases, it was said that those bearing this surname were probably descended from an ancient fighting family from the Gothic Kingdom of Spain, which was later one of the independent kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula. The Feanes were found in Northern Spain and wanted to remain loyal to the Crown during the Spanish Civil War. Some of those carrying the Feanes last name moved abroad in the 19th century, Zimbabwe being one notable destination. It is also found in the United States, especially in the greater New York City area, as well as in South America, particularly in Colombia, Peru, and Chile.

Interestingly, the Feanes name was also used for a castle in the town of La Neiva, in the autonomous community of Castile and Leon, Spain. The castle dates from the late 12th century, and is believed to have been constructed by the Feanes family.

Feanes: Where does the name Feanes come from?

The last name Feanes can be found primarily in Spain and Portugal. It is believed to be of Basque, Spanish and Portuguese origin. The Basque spelling is Faines.

Feanes is a relatively uncommon last name in the U.S. According to the US Census records, the last name was first observed in the United States in the 19th century when some settlers from Spain and Portugal with the surname Feanes arrived to North America. Currently, the name is mainly documented in parts of California, like San Diego, Los Angeles county and San Francisco Bay area as well as Florida, Illinois, Texas and Pennsylvania.

In Spain, the Feanes surname has a higher frequency and can be found in parts of Galicia, Castilla y Leon and Valencia region, and in Portugal is more common in the regions of Faro, Lisbon, Beira-Interior-Centro, Braga, Porto, Algarve and scheduled areas like Madeira and the Azores.

The total occurrences of the Feanes last name across the world is estimated to be in the hundreds, suggesting it is an uncommon but not rare surname.

Variations of the surname Feanes

The surname Feanes, also spelled Faines and Fanes, originated in the Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name is derived from the Old English word fain, meaning “free” or “open.” This name further evolved to Fayne, Fanes, Feains, and Faines. Variants of the name, such as Feyne, Fians, and Faynes, have appeared in records from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

The Faines surname can be found in both Scotland and England, having been first recorded in the 12th century. Some variations, such as Fayne, are found primarily in Scotland. In Scotland, Fanes was commonly used as both a surname and a given name. Records of the family can be found at the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh.

In England, the Fanes surname is found in various counties, such as Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Worcestershire, and Sussex. Records of this name can be found in the National Archives of England. In the US, the Faines surname is found primarily in New England and the southern states.

The Faines surname has given rise to several other surnames, including Feanes, Feigns, Fieges, Fein and Feyne. This surname is often found in combination with other names, such as Faine and Feigham, which are also derived from the Old English root.

In summary, the surname Feanes is derived from the Old English fain, meaning “free” or “open.” It is found in various countries, primarily Scotland and England, as well as the US. Variants of this name include Faines, Fayne, Fanes, Feigns, Fieges, Fein, and Feyne. It is often found in combination with other names, such as Faine and Feigham.

Famous people with the name Feanes

• Alex Feanes: is an American actor most known for his appearance in the renowned Adam Sandler film Big Daddy.
• Josephina Feanes: Spanish noblewoman of Portuguese descent who, in 1607, married a Portuguese ambassador.
• Christian Feanes: Hispanic American Latina singer and songwriter, best known for her upbeat pop-style songs.
• Demetrius Feanes: Greek Olympic champion in weightlifting from 2000 to 2006.
• Max Feanes: British musician, singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer.
• Romeo Feanes: NFL cornerback who played for the Miami Dolphins from 2004 to 2011.
• Jose Feanes: Portuguese journalist and author who published several well-known books.
• Antonio Feanes: Mexican-American painter whose work often contains stylized landscapes informed by his Mexican heritage.
• Renee Feanes: American actress known for her roles in the television shows "The West Wing" and "Desperate Housewives."
• Lizzie Feanes: British actress who has appeared in several popular television shows, including "Downton Abbey" and "Eastenders."

Other surnames

Feane