FOLLIS
Follis is a surname of primarily English origin, first appearing in the English records during the medieval period. The name is derived from the Middle English word follis, meaning “bellows,” and is therefore an occupational surname. It is believed that bearers of the name were associated with the manufacture or use of bellows in a trade such as blacksmithing or metalworking.
The surname is attested in a range of spellings in historical documents. Recorded forms include Fallis, Faltus, Fawlis, Fellis, Felleys, Follas, Folles, Follis, Follus, Follos, Foulis and Fowlis. Such variation is typical of English surnames that were written phonetically by clerks before standardisation of spelling.
Although Follis is classified as English, it has sometimes been associated with Scotland. A claim in one Dictionary of Scottish Surnames suggests a locational origin from a place called Fowlis in Scotland, but no such place has been identified in any credible records. The same source argues that a Norman‑French origin is more plausible, linking the name to the town of Falaise in Normandy. Norman families were granted land in Scotland following the 1066 invasion, and early examples of the spelling appear in Scottish clerical records such as William de Foulis, perpetual vicar of Kirktown near Stirling (1298), and Sir Alan Foulis, canon of St. Andrews (1305).
English parish registers also contain instances of the surname. For example, Anne Fellis was christened at St. Botolphs without Aldgate on 13 November 1583, and a Huguenot wedding involving the name is recorded in London’s St. Georges chapel in 1749. These entries attest to the continued presence of the surname in England for several centuries.
An alternative etymology appears in some sources, claiming that Follis originates from the Old French word fol, meaning “fool” or “jester.” This line of thought posits that the name may have been a nickname for a person who performed as a jester or behaved in a foolish manner, or that it could have been an occupational name for a professional jester. The name drew further associations, for instance with the Roman “follis,” a large bronze coin, though no direct link has been demonstrated. This theory is less widely accepted and is considered by many to be speculative.
Modern distribution data indicate that the surname is relatively uncommon worldwide. In the United States it is most often found in the Midwest and South and is ranked in the twenty‑th thousandth position in name frequency. In the United Kingdom it remains uncommon, with a modest concentration in England, while in France it is found only occasionally. The name remains far from common but has a documented presence in several regions over seven centuries.
No definitive conclusion can be drawn about the precise origin of the surname because both the occupational interpretation from bellows manufacture and the French nickname theory are found in credible historical records. The occupational derivation has strongest support in English primary sources, whereas the French derivation appears in secondary literature with limited documentary backing. Erudite genealogical research into parish and court records is therefore recommended for families wishing to trace the lineage of the surname to a particular locality or occupation.
Typical given names associated with the Follis surname
Male
- Andrew
- Daniel
- David
- Edward
- Gary
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Alison
- Carol
- Charlotte
- Denise
- Dorinda
- Emma
- Lisa
- Lucy
- Lynda
- Mary
- Ruth
- Sally
- Sarah
- Wendy
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Follis in...
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There are approximately 160 people named Follis in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around two in a million people in Britain are named Follis.
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Follis
- Emma Follis - Football player
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.