FOX
Fox
Origin and Meaning
The surname Fox is of English and Irish origin, derived from the Old English word "fox," which referred to the animal of the same name. The name was often given as a nickname to individuals believed to possess fox-like characteristics such as cleverness, cunning, or slyness.
History
The surname Fox has ancient roots in Britain, dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period. It is a common surname in England, Ireland, and Scotland. The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the 11th century, with variations such as Foxe and Foxman also appearing in historical records.
Notable People
-
George Fox (1624-1691): English founder of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers.
-
Emilia Fox (b. 1974): English actress, known for her roles in TV series like "Silent Witness" and "Merlin."
-
Matthew Fox (b. 1966): American actor, best known for his role as Jack Shephard in the TV series "Lost."
Variants
Variants of the surname Fox include Foxe, Foxman, and Foxx.
Coat of Arms
The Fox coat of arms typically features a depiction of a fox or fox's head, symbolizing the characteristics associated with the animal such as intelligence and resourcefulness.
Modern Distribution
The surname Fox remains a common surname in the United Kingdom and has also spread to other English-speaking countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
There are approximately 58,539 people named Fox in the UK. That makes it the 113th most common surname in Britain. Around 899 in a million people in Britain are named Fox.
Surname type: Nickname
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Stephen
Female
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan