Surname Fend - Meaning and Origin
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Fend: What does the surname Fend mean?
The surname Fend is of French origin, from the verb fendre, meaning "to split." It is used as a nickname for a person who split logs to burn, referred to as a “splitter.” Alternatively, fend might have been a nickname for a woodsman or forester, who would go out and explore the wilderness, collecting wood for fuel and building materials.
The surname Fend is recorded in numerous early historical documents in France. Among these are a document from 1232 of Roger Fend; records of a family of Adeline Fend living in Paris in the 14th century; and a document from 1475 of Constantza de Fend.
The use of the surname Fend has spread to other parts of the world, in part due to French Huguenots who fled to Britain, Canada, and the United States in the 1600s. Today, Fend is an especially frequent surname in the United States. It may also be found in France, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and many other countries.
In terms of heraldry, the Fend family crest is an oak tree, with its leaves split, representing the meaning of the surname. This imagery of strength and durability are symbolic of the old family name and its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisFend: Where does the name Fend come from?
The surname Fend is primarily of German origin, with a particular presence in the regions of eastern Germany, particularly Saxony. Though the name has spread far beyond Germany over the centuries, there is still a high concentration of bearers of the name in Europe today, scattered through Germany, Austria and France in a concentrated cluster along the Rhine. It is also common in Belgium and Switzerland, with some emigrants having taken the Fend name to Poland, Russia, Hungary and other parts of Eastern Europe.
The largest concentrations of Fend bearers are in some of Germany’s main cities, such as Berlin, Munich, Dresden, and Hamburg, with smaller concentrations throughout Austria, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland and Hungary. Additionally, the name has spread to Australia, Canada and the U.S. with emigrants from Germany, France, and Switzerland. The name is not particularly common in the U.S., however. In Australia, the surname Fend is particularly concentrated in Victoria and New South Wales.
Altogether, the surname Fend is still most commonly found near its places of origin in terms of national populations, especially in Germany, but also in neighboring countries such as Austria, France, Belgium, and Switzerland. Additionally, the surname is more commonly found abroad than the U.S. due to the large numbers of emigrants from European countries who have moved to countries such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Fend
The surname Fend is believed to have originated from Germany. It is derived from the noun 'Fende', meaning 'split; division'. It is thought to have been originally used as a topographic name derived from a physical feature such as a split in a hill, or a fissure in a rock formation. It is also believed to be related to the Germanic word 'venden', meaning 'to divide or separate'.
Variations and spellings of the surname Fend include: Feand, Fendt, Feend, Fendel, Feendt, Feyendt, Feyend, Veyend, Feyanda, Fayend, Feenda, Peend, Faint, Vaint, Feant, Peant, Faindt, Veand, Feandel, Vent, Vendant and Pendant.
Surnames with similar names or origins to Fend include: Fen, Fennell, Fenton, Fensome, Ferndell, Font, Vand, Fehndel, Freud, Vondra, Ferndale, Venter and Facher.
Famous people with the name Fend
- Richard Fend: former Major League Baseball outfielder
- Clara Fend: American artist and Professor Emeritus of Art at the University of California, Irvine
- David Fend: German musician, composer, and singer-songwriter
- Zambri Fend: Brazilian model, actress, and fitness influencer
- Liza Fend: French jazz singer and pianist
- Antoine Fend: winner of the 2017 IdsO Women's Floorball World Championship
- Samantha Fend: British professional tennis player
- K4 Fend: American rapper from New York
- Aprillia Fend: Filipino actress and singer
- Joe-L Fend: British comedian, actor, and television presenter