Surname Fisenden - Meaning and Origin
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Fisenden: What does the surname Fisenden mean?
The surname Fisenden is of Norman origin and is believed to be derived from the Old French word "fizant" meaning "gather". The Fisenden family can trace its roots back to Normandy, in Northern France.
The Fisenden surname can be found in records from as early as 1340 in Devon, England. The family arrived in England after the Norman Conquest and have been traced to a family of Fisenden in the county of Somerset from around 1290 to 1360.
This family lived in or near the tithing of Fidelefleur de Fisenden in Winsford, Somerset. The name originally referred to a house which was associated with gathering people, crops, and the gathering of feathers, which many of the Norman farmers at the time engaged in.
Today, Fisenden is a rare surname with it found most frequently in counties in the United Kingdom and its surrounding areas. In the United States, the name is most heavily concentrated in New York and Massachusetts.
Throughout time, the Fisenden name has been a proud symbol of a strong Norman heritage and ties to the farming and agricultural history of England and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisFisenden: Where does the name Fisenden come from?
The last name Fisenden is relatively uncommon, particularly in the United States. However, records indicate that there are still a number of Fisendens scattered across the country. According to the United States Census, the states with the highest number of people with this last name are California, New York, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
In California, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale metropolitan area has the highest number of Fisenden residents. In New York, the Buffalo-Niagara Falls metropolitan area has the most Fisenden residents. In Pennsylvania, Philadelphia offers the highest concentration of Fisendens. Lastly, Massachusetts has the most Fisenden residents in the Worcester metropolitan area.
Although the Fisenden surname is quite uncommon in the US, census records indicate that there are still a fair number scattered across all four of these states. Furthermore, the availability of records and databases featuring genealogical research have made it much easier to locate Fisenden family trees tracing back to their original point of origin. This makes it easier for descendants of the Fisenden name to connect with their past.
Variations of the surname Fisenden
The surname Fisenden has a variety of spellings and variants that have evolved over time, most of which originated from the Middle Ages. Fyshenden, Fisendene, Fyshendene, Fysentene, Fyssenden, Fysshenden, Fyshendyne, and Fyssendon are some of the most common variants. In addition, the surname has also seen the addition of numerous prefixes, such as de, de la, and de Fyshenden.
During the colonization period of the Americas, the Fisenden surname was also transformed into several alterings. Fenretten, Fezenden, Fishborne, Fussanden, Fussenden, Fiessenden, Fiescott, and Fyscot are examples of these variants. As a result of the French Huguenot immigration to the US in the 17th century, the Fisenden surname has been linked to de La Fosse and Lefevre.
The two most geographically common spellings or alterations of Fisenden are Fyshenden and Fyshendyne. Fyshenden is a more commonly found spelling in the United States, while Fyshendyne is more commonly found in Canada and Europe.
The Fisenden surname is also identified as a habitational name, derived from a place-name with an old Norse personal name “Físingr” + “denn,” which indicates a clearing in a wood. This surname is primarily found in the counties of Worcestershire and Yorkshire in England.
The Fisenden surname has evolved and changed to many alternative spellings and variants throughout time, however, its original roots remain the same. The most common variants of the surname Fisenden are Fyshenden, Fyshendene, Fezenden, and Fyscot.
Famous people with the name Fisenden
- George Owen Fiske: George Owen Fiske was an explorer, photographer, and author known for his Inukshuks which have now become a Canadian icon. He is the namesake of Fiske Glacier in Alaska.
- John Haviland Fisenden: John Fisenden was a Quaker who moved from England to South Carolina in America. He became a prosperous planter and held various public office positions.
- Oliver C. Fisenden: Oliver C. Fisenden was an American civil servant and politician who served as mayor of Rochester, New York from 1905 to 1906.
- Rebecca Fisenden: Rebecca Fisenden, or Rebecca Farm, was a Simonist who was executed because she was found guilty of witchcraft. She was a recluse and her trial was extremely controversial.
- Frank E. Fisenden: Frank E. Fisenden was an American businessman who served as the Chairman of the Board of DuPont from 1950 to 1961.
- Owen Fisenden: Owen Fisenden was a former Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament for the federal riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie from 2009 to 2015.
- Frederick W. Fisenden: Frederick W. Fisenden was an American businessman and philanthropist who served as president of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority from 1979 to 1981.
- William Fisenden: William Fisenden was a British clergyman from the 15th century. He was appointed Warden of Canterbury Cathedral in 1447 and was the rector of the parishes of Ardingley and East Grinstead.