Surname Fowlds - Meaning and Origin
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Fowlds: What does the surname Fowlds mean?
The surname Fowlds is of English origin. It is believed to be a variation of the surname "Folds" which is an occupational surname, derived from the Old English word "Fold" meaning starch maker or linen-draper. The first recorded instance of this name in England is that of Thomas Foldes in 1332.
Other variants of Fowlds are Faulds, Foldes, Foulks and Fooulds, suggesting an origin in either Scotland or Ireland, as it is believed to have carried on to those regions from the English emigrations in the 13th and 14th Centuries.
The surname is thought to have later been shortened to Fowlds in some lineages to help differentiate the various variations.
Today, Fowlds is still found as a surname, although it is not nearly as common as some other surnames of similar origin such as "Fields," and "Folds", which is now found in over 50 different countries around the world.
Fowlds remains an uncommon surname, but its bearers can embrace their heritage with pride, honouring their family history by keeping the Fowlds name alive.
Order DNA origin analysisFowlds: Where does the name Fowlds come from?
The last name Fowlds is of Scottish/Norman origin, tracing its ancestry back to a Norman settler who first arrived in Scotland in the 11th century. The name is still common today, particularly in areas where Scottish heritage is strong, such as Northern England and parts of Scotland.
The last name Fowlds is especially prominent in the Scottish county of Lanarkshire, where the highest numbers are to be found. With a population of over 500,000, Lanarkshire is the fourth most populous county in Scotland, and one of its principal metropolitan and industrial hubs. People with this last name may be found in other large cities such as Glasgow, Aberdeen and Edinburgh too.
Farther afield, especially in the United States, the name Fowlds is found in significant numbers in several states, notably New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and California. Like in Scotland, most of these families are descended from Scottish immigrants who arrived in the US in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Though its frequency has dwindled slightly over the past century, the last name Fowlds is still very much alive and well today. It continues to be widely represented in both Great Britain and America.
Variations of the surname Fowlds
The surname Fowlds is an Old English patronymic name, which means "son of Foul(a)", where Foul was an Old English personal name. As such, many variants and spellings of this surname exist.
Variants of this name include Folds, Folds, Foalds, Foalls, Foul, Foul, Fowle, Fowles and Fowlese. Another way it can be spelt is Fowldes, as the letter 's' is sometimes added to create the plural form of a personal name.
Other families with a similar surname can be found throughout the English-speaking world. Examples include the Scottish surname Faulds, the Welsh surname Ffowlds and the American surname Fowles.
In addition, some families may spell their surnames with a Y instead of an I. Thus, spellings such as Fowylds, Fowyldes and Fowyllde may be encountered.
A variety of different surnames can be derived from this Old English name. These include Fauld, Foull, Foules, Fowle, Fowls, Fowlys and Fowles. Further variants include Father, Foden, Feld, Foulds, Follis and Follie.
To conclude, Fowlds is an Anglo-Saxon surname which can be spelt using a variety of different variations. Examples of these include Fowylds, Fowler, Fowles, Fowlese and Father, to name just a few.
Famous people with the name Fowlds
- David Fowlds: Actor who is best known for portraying Mike Barrett in the British sitcom ‘Are You Being Served?’ from 1972 to 1985, and recurring role in ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ from 1978 to 1990
- Becky Fowlds: British actress who made her acting debut in an episode of the British show ‘Where the Heart Is’ in 2005.
- Keith Fowlds: English actor who has appeared in a few movies and TV shows, such as ‘Blake’s People’ and ‘The Winds of Wheatherby’
- Mal B. Fowlds: Jamaican-born actor and musician who appeared in the movies ‘The Caine Mutiny’ and ‘Run of the Arrow’
- Kim Fowlds: Australian actress best known for her roles in ‘Neighbours’ and ‘Sons and Daughters’
- Jon Fowlds: British actor who has appeared on shows such as ‘Casualty’, ‘The Bill’, ‘Midsomer Murders’, ‘The Catherine Tate Show’, and ‘Coronation Street’
- John Fowlds: Actor who was known for his roles in the TV shows ‘Z Cars’ and ‘The Tuesday Play’
- Mike Fowlds: English actor who is best known for his roles in ‘Long Time Dead’, ‘United’, and ‘The Troubleshooters’
- Tony Fowlds: English actor who is best remembered for his appearances in the British comedy ‘Bless This House’
- Richard Fowlds: British actor who has appeared in ‘Diary of a Nobody’, ‘Mr. Bean’, ‘Goodnight Sweetheart’, and ‘Lark Rise to Candleford’