Surname Foljambe - Meaning and Origin
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Foljambe: What does the surname Foljambe mean?
The surname Foljambe is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from a place in Normandy called Foljambe. Most likely, it was brought to England in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest in 1066. The name might have originated from the Old Norse name Fulkiamb meaning "foul bay."
There is an alternate theory suggesting that the name could come from two Old English words - "Folga," a personal name, and "ham," meaning homestead or village. Therefore, Foljambe might mean "Folga’s homestead."
The Foljambe family rose to prominence in England and includes several noteworthy members, such as Sir Godfrey de Foljambe who served as a High Sheriff of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire in the 1300s. The spelling of the name has varied over centuries, with past variations including Folgiambe, Foljamb, and Folgembe.
However, as with many historical surname origins, these meanings are speculative and researchers cannot conclusively determine the precise origin and meaning of 'Foljambe'.
Order DNA origin analysisFoljambe: Where does the name Foljambe come from?
The surname Foljambe is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the old English words "fola" meaning "foal" and "jamb" meaning "leg." It is believed to be a nickname or occupational name for someone who had some special connection with horses, such as a breeder or a horses' farrier. The Foljambe family had a long-established presence in Yorkshire and Derbyshire in England after the Norman Conquest.
Notwithstanding, the surname is relatively uncommon today. Most bearers of the Foljambe surname reside in England, particularly in areas where the family first established their presence. However, due to diaspora and emigration over the centuries, the surname can also be found in other English-speaking nations like the United States, Canada, and Australia albeit in very small numbers. The most famous bearer of the name was Francis Foljambe, a prominent British politician in the 19th century.
Variations of the surname Foljambe
The surname Foljambe primarily originates from England. It derived from the place named "Fulleyamb" or "Fulleyambe" meaning "bird river". This surname can be traced back to the Middle Ages in South Yorkshire and North Nottinghamshire.
Looking at the various historical sources and registries, varied forms of this name are seemingly rare due to its uncommon nature. However, older versions of the name such as "Folyamb" and "Folyfaunt" have been documented. Some records show a variant as "Foliambe", which can be seen in the early 16th century English Parish registers.
Apart from these, variants and related surnames to Foljambe are truly hard to find due to the unique origin. It is important to note that spelling variations often occurred even between father and son due to the lack of standardized spelling rules in historical periods, so some differences may be found within family documents.
Surname evolution is typically dependent on regional influences, phonetic sound changes, or even clerical errors. In this case, the contained sounds in "Foljambe" likely did not lend themselves well to variation, retaining its core form through the centuries.
Famous people with the name Foljambe
- Cecil George Savile Foljambe: He was the 1st Earl of Liverpool and a prominent British Liberal politician, who served as a Member of Parliament.
- Arthur William de Brito Savile Foljambe: He was the 2nd Earl of Liverpool and a British nobleman. He served as an Aide-de-camp to both King George V and King Edward VII.
- Francis Foljambe: He served as a British Member of Parliament for Yorkshire during the late 18th century.
- Godfrey de Foljambe: He was a prominent English nobleman and knight during the 13th century.
- George Savile Foljambe: He was a British army officer and a cricketer.
- Edward Bootle-Wilbraham, 1st Earl of Lathom: Born Edward Bootle, he changed his name to Edward Bootle-Wilbraham after marrying Mary Elizabeth Foljambe, an important British noblewoman. These are some of the famous people with the last name Foljambe, mostly from the British nobility or political sphere. It's worth noting that Foljambe is not a common surname, and most, if not all, of the people bearing it are part of the same family.