Surname Fotheringill - Meaning and Origin
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Fotheringill: What does the surname Fotheringill mean?
The surname Fotheringill is of English origin and is believed to have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon name "Fodderingahl," which was thought to mean "a fowler's clearing." It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "feader," meaning an area of land where birds were caught by means of nets or traps.
Fotheringill is a fairly rare surname, found mainly in English-speaking countries, particularly those in which a significant number of Ango-Saxon settlers immigrated. Records in the U.K., for example, show Fotheringills living in Yorkshire and Derbyshire as early as the 1600s.
In the U.S., the number of people with the Fotheringill surname is relatively small. The most notable bearer of the name in America was Dr. Joseph Fotheringill (1787-1854), who served as a surgeon aboard the frigate President during the War of 1812. He became a prominent doctor during the height of the cholera epidemic in Philadelphia in the 1840s and 1850s.
Today, Fotheringill remains a fairly rare name. Those who bear this last name can take pride in their legacy of bravery and commitment to healing, which has been carried down from generation to generation.
Order DNA origin analysisFotheringill: Where does the name Fotheringill come from?
The last name Fotheringill is still quite common today, although its prevalence is higher in certain areas. In the United Kingdom, for example, it is most commonly found in East Anglia, particularly in Norfolk counties. Its presence in the UK is believed to stem from the impact of the Anglo-Saxon migration in the 5th century.
In the United States, the name is most prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic states, particularly New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. It’s also quite common in the northern Midwest states like Michigan and Wisconsin. Its presence in the States is believed to have been the result of the Great Irish Potato Famine in which millions of Irish people immigrated during desperate times.
Internationally, the last name Fotheringill is still present in Anglo-Saxon diaspora areas such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Although its prevalence and distribution varies, it is still an important last name that is part of the Anglo-Saxon legacy.
Variations of the surname Fotheringill
The Fotheringill surname is believed to have originated from English origins. It is related to the Old English word fodringhylle, which translates to mean ‘ridge of shelter’. Over time, the surname has spawned multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of similar origin.
Common variants of the Fotheringill surname include Foderingham, Fardringham, Fodderingham, and Fotheringham. Spellings may vary slightly, meaning the surname may be written as Fotheringhall, Fotheringhil, Fotheringill or Fotheringhille.
Surnames of a similar origin include Fordingham, Fordringham, Fordingham, Fardringham, Foderam, and Foderham. Spellings may also differ, including Fteringham, Feterungham, Fotherinham, and Fetterungham.
In some cases, the Fotheringill surname has also been linked to the French surname Vautier, as many people migrated from England to France and vice versa. Variations of Vautier can include Vauterel, Vauletrell, Vautrill, Valtryll, and Vaulerel.
Due to the various spellings and variants, it can be difficult to trace the Fotheringill surname. Regardless of the spelling or variant, the origin of this surname remains the same—meaning ‘ridge of shelter’.
Famous people with the name Fotheringill
- William Fotheringill: 1732 English Nonconformist minister and founder of a small independent Christian denomination called Fotheringillianism
- Robert Fotheringill: English eighteenth-century actor and theatre manager
- Edward Fotheringill: nineteenth-century English barrister and lawyer
- Charles Fotheringill: early twentieth-century British engineer and engine tester
- Micheal Fotheringill: British actor, best known for his roles in "The Italian Job" (1969), "Where Eagles Dare" (1969) and one of Britain's longest running soap operas "Emmerdale" (1972–2008)
- James Fotheringill: British hairdressing entrepreneur
- John Fotheringill: Canadian author and poet
- Sophie Fotheringill: British designer who designed human-centred products for diverse markets
- Mary Fotheringill: Record-holding suffragette in the early 20th century
- Henry Fotheringill: English businessman and British Conservative Party politician at the end of the nineteenth century