Surname Figs - Meaning and Origin
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Figs: What does the surname Figs mean?
The last name "Figs" does not have a widely recognized or clear meaning, as it is quite rare. It could possibly be of English origin, derived from the Middle English word "figge" for the fruit, implying it may have been an occupational surname for a fig seller or grower, or perhaps a nickname. Last names often derived from a person's occupation, physical attributes, or geographical locations in the medieval period.
An alternate theory could link it to a colloquial use of the term "Fig," which in certain dialects is used to denote a sprightly, smartly dressed individual. So, it could be a metonymic surname given to someone who is lively or well-dressed.
As it is rare and its confirmed historical lineage is somewhat hard to trace, the exact origin and meaning of the surname "Figs" may vary across cultures and geographies. Therefore, further research from genealogical sources or family histories may provide more precise or personalized meaning and origin.
Order DNA origin analysisFigs: Where does the name Figs come from?
The last name Figs is not particularly common today, but it does still show up in some places around the world. The surname is found mainly in the United States, where it is more common in the southern states of California, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida. In addition, the surname can be seen in some European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, but it is much less frequent.
In the United States, the surname was primarily formed from the personal name "Figgs", which is a variant of the name "Figg." It is presumed that the name originated in England from a location name derived from the Old English word "fig", which meant a "forked hill or ridge". It is conceivable that the surname was brought to the United States by early immigrants.
In the 21st century, the surname Figs has never been particularly common, but it does appear in certain areas of the world where it is slightly more common. The prevalence of the name is likely due to immigration, descendants of those people who first brought the last name to the US many centuries ago.
Variations of the surname Figs
The surname Figs is of English origin, and it can be spelled in various ways, including Figgs, Figg, Figgis, Figge, Figes, and Figges. These variants of Figs arise from a variety of sources, such as errors in records, phonetic similarities, and dialetical differences.
One common variant of Figs is Figgs, which is thought to derive from a dialectical pronunciation of the name, and the truncation of the “s” at the end of “Figs”. Figg, similarly, is thought to be a dialectical variation of Figs.
Figgis and Figge differ slightly in their spelling, with “gg” instead of “g”, likely arising from an interpretation of the pronunciation or a writing error during the record-keeping process.
Figes and Figges are perhaps an archaic form of the spelling, or perhaps an affectation of the original spelling. These spellings, as well as Figs, Figgs, Figg, Figgis, Figge, Figes, and Figges, all are of English origin.
Throughout the various spellings, the ultimate origins of the surname Figs are old English, derived from old English words that described hunting. These words, “ficcere” and “fycgere”, described a profession of a “hunter with a dart or short spear”. It is likely that the surname Figs originates from this profession.
As such, the variants of Figs all come from the same origin, and are ultimately the same surname, differing only in spelling, dialectical form, and interpretation.
Famous people with the name Figs
- Rafael Figs: Former NFL player for the Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, and Washington Redskins.
- Francisco Figs: Professional basketball player, currently playing in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional in Puerto Rico.
- Carl Figs: Former Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals and Seattle Mariners.
- Steven Figs: American songwriter and producer who has worked with prominent recording artists, such as Gwen Stefani.
- Joseph Figs: Musician, composer, and music producer who has worked with many famous artists including Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, and John Legend.
- Pollo Figs: Grammy award-winning reggaeton artist from Puerto Rico.
- John Figs: American film and television actor with credits in a number of television shows and films, such as CSI: Miami, 24, and American Sniper.
- Jenna Figs: Feminist and queer librarianship scholar and insightful writer.
- Tara Figs: Award-winning poet, who was a finalist for an NAACP Image award.
- Edison Figs: Multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter who has been a part of various musical groups and projects in genres of jazz, funk, and soul.