Surname Fee - Meaning and Origin
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Fee: What does the surname Fee mean?
The last name Fee is of Irish origin derived from the Gaelic name O'Fiaich, which means “descendant of Fiach”. Fiach means 'raven' in Irish. Therefore, the Fee surname often signifies a connection with the bird, either metaphorically to denote wisdom, or indicating the ancestor named Fiach possibly had dark hair or a dark complexion like a raven. The name sprung up independently in several places in Ireland, but is usually associated with Ulster and particularly Co. Armagh from the ancient kingdom of Ui Echach. In addition, the surname Fee is common among Irish immigrants residing abroad, especially in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Also, as with many Irish surnames, it has several spelling variations including Fee, O'Fee, Fey, O'Fey, and others. Additionally, remember that in the context of personal names, meaning might not always be the best way to understand the name because names often arise from diverse cultural, linguistic, and personal factors beyond simple definitions.
Order DNA origin analysisFee: Where does the name Fee come from?
The surname Fee originated from Ireland and is an Anglicization of the Irish name Ó Fiaich, which comes from the Gaelic word "fiach", meaning raven. The surname was first discovered in the province of Ulster, where inhabitants held a family seat from ancient times. They belonged to the Clannaboy O'Neills group who trace their lineage back to Niall of the Nine Hostages, a historical king of Ireland. Over time and especially due to Irish immigration to America during the Great Famine in the 19th century, the surname has also spread to other parts of the world. Today, it is common in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the United States, particularly in states with a high Irish-American population.
Variations of the surname Fee
The surname Fee has its roots in ancient British Isles and Ireland. Ancient Gaelic and Anglo-Saxon tribes used a system of hereditary surnames, where the name would often be derived from the occupation or place of residence of the original bearer. Fee, in some versions, is derived from the Old English word "feoh", which means "cattle" or "goods", thus indicating the original bearer's career in cattle farming or trading.
Additionally, Fee is also a variant of the Irish surname "O'Fiaich", which means "descendant of Fiaich". In Ireland, this surname is often anglicized as Fay or Fey. The variant spelling "Fey" is popular in the parts of Ulster province in Northern Ireland.
Different versions of the name in English include Fie and Phy. Sometimes it’s also found as McFee or MacFee, denoting the Scottish Gaelic prefix "Mac," meaning "son of."
Therefore, variations of the surname Fee include Fay, Fey, Fie, Phy, McFee, and MacFee. Despite the wide range of spellings, all of these surnames share the same cultural heritage and historical roots.
Famous people with the name Fee
- Henry Fee: Was a renowned Irish cricketer.
- Kitty Fee: A famous German politician and a member of the Bundestag.
- Phyllis Fee: A widely recognized American Olympian in field hockey.
- Stephen Fee: A well-known international journalist who has reported for multiple prestigious outlets.
- Fergus Fee: An acclaimed Irish footballer known for his play in the League of Ireland.
- Nick Fee: A respected Canadian actor known for his roles in various films and television series.
- Paul Fee: An Australian baseball player who participated in the 2000 Olympic Games.
- Kenneth Fee: A famous Scottish author and theologian.
- David Fee: An Irish footballer who has played for multiple clubs in the Nationa League in England.
- Ryan Fee: A professional poker player from the United States.
- Erna Fee: A distinguished gymnast who represented the United States in the Olympic Games.
- Craig Fee: A Canadian radio personality known for his role as a host on various stations.
- John Fee: A prominent American abolitionist and cleric, and the founder of Berea College in Kentucky.