FURNEAUX
Furneaux
Furneaux is a surname of English origin, found mainly in the southwest of England, particularly in the counties of Devon and Cornwall. The name is derived from the Old English word "fyrnige", meaning "stranger" or "foreigner", suggesting that the original bearers of the surname may have been newcomers to the area.
History
The Furneaux surname has ancient roots, dating back to the medieval period in England. The Furneaux family is known to have been prominent landowners in Devon and Cornwall, where they held estates and played significant roles in local communities.
Distribution
Today, individuals with the surname Furneaux can be found across the United Kingdom and in other parts of the world, particularly in former British colonies. The name has spread through migration and emigration over the centuries.
Notable Individuals
Notable bearers of the Furneaux surname include:
- George Furneaux (1819–1899) – A British artist known for his landscape paintings of the Devon and Cornwall countryside.
- Judith Furneaux (b. 1955) – A British author and historian specialising in the history of the southwest of England.
Variants
Variants of the Furneaux surname include Fernaux, Furnaux, and Furneice, among others. These variations reflect the evolution of the name over time and its adaptation to different regional accents and dialects.
References
- Hanks, P., Hardcastle, K., & Hodges, F. (2006). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 873 people named Furneaux in the UK. That makes it roughly the 8,201st most common surname in Britain. Around 13 in a million people in Britain are named Furneaux.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andre
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- Jeremy
- John
- Jon
- Jonathan
- Mark
- Matthew
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
Female
- Christine
- Diane
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria