Surname Fordyce - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Fordyce: What does the surname Fordyce mean?
The last name Fordyce is of Scottish origin, derived from a geographical location. It is taken from the village named Fordyce in the Northeast of Scotland, situated near the coast between Aberdeen and Inverness. The name itself is believed to be a combination of the Old English words "ford," meaning a shallow river crossing, and "deas", which means south. So, the meaning of Fordyce could be interpreted as 'South Ford', possibly denoting the family's origin or dwelling at the 'south ford' or a southern river crossing. Like many surnames originating from locations, it likely began being used to help distinguish between two persons with the same given name, but from different locales. Over time, this geographical reference became a familial surname passed down through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisFordyce: Where does the name Fordyce come from?
The surname Fordyce is of Scottish origin, specifically from the region of Aberdeenshire. Named after the place called Fordyce in Banffshire, its early forms included "Ferdeus," and "Fordas," but evolved into the modern spelling. The name signifies 'a ford at a dyke,' the word 'dyke' in Scotland being used in the sense of a stone wall. Fordyce might have been used for those who lived near such a location.
The Fordyce surname is not extremely common today, but individuals with this surname are spread across the world, particularly in countries like the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and England which have had high levels of Scottish immigration in history. Despite this, it remains uniquely associated with Scotland due to its geographical origins. Heavy concentrations of Fordyce can also be found in South Africa and Canada due to migration.
Variations of the surname Fordyce
The surname Fordyce mainly originates from the British Isles, particularly Scotland. It is a locational or habitational name and comes from the place called Fordyce in northeastern Scotland. Sometimes, the name is spelled differently due to dialects or transliterations, or it develops different variants over time.
Variations of the name Fordyce include Fordice, Forders, Fordis, Fordys, Fordice, Furdice, Furdise, etc. The surnames Fordice and Fordis were more common in early census records in the United States.
Besides these, there are some variations that incorporate the leitmotif ‘ford’ such as Ford, Fordham or Forden. However, these are considered different surnames and should not be automatically linked to Fordyce even though they share thematic elements.
In addition, due to the phonetic similarities, the surname Varty is considered a variant by some.
Also, it's worth remembering that misspellings or misinterpretations are frequent in old documents, and variations could also exist due to these errors made by clerks or census takers. Thus, Fardyce, Foardyce, or Fordeyce might appear in some historical records as variations. It's always a good idea to consider all potential spellings when researching genealogy.
Famous people with the name Fordyce
- John Fordyce: He was a British broadcaster and journalist. He worked for several notable media outlets including the BBC.
- James Fordyce: He was a Scottish Presbyterian minister and poet. His sermons, especially those on female virtue and manners, stood out.
- David Fordyce: A Scottish philosopher and theologian noted for his naturalistic moral philosophy.
- William Fordyce (1768-1861): He was an English mining engineer, historian and antiquary. Known for his substantial contributions to mining engineering.
- Sam Fordyce: A well-known land developer and namesake of the city of Sam Fordyce, Texas.
- William Dingwall Fordyce: A British Liberal Party politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Aberdeenshire Mid.
- Sir William Fordyce (1724-1792): He served as Lord Mayor of London in 1789.
- Jesse Fordyce: An American football coach in the early 1900s.
- Rob Fordyce: Known for his work on prominent television shows including 'Buccaneers and Bones' (2010), 'The Seahunter' (2011) and 'Spanish Fly' (1995).
- George Fordyce: A well-known Scottish physician and chemist, best known for his work in the area of medical and chemical teaching. Please note that the Fordyce name isn't extremely common amongst celebrities or high-profile individuals. The individuals listed are more so notable figures than they are "famous."