Surname Fernekes - Meaning and Origin
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Fernekes: What does the surname Fernekes mean?
The last name Fernekes is of German and Dutch origin and means 'Fox'. The name is derived from the Middle Dutch word 'vos', which translates to 'fox'. The surname was used as a nickname for people who were believed to have some fox-like characteristics, such as slyness, cunning, and intelligence – traits that were highly valued at the time.
Throughout its history, the Fernekes family has spread across central Europe. In the 15th century, members of the family migrated from Germany to the Netherlands, which is where the majority of Fernekes are still found today. Most of the bearers of this surname live in the Dutch provinces of North and South Holland.
In the United States, Fernekes is an uncommon surname. There are approximately 100 people living in the U.S. with this name, mostly scattered throughout the states of Oklahoma, Oregon, and Montana.
Generally, people who share this surname are proud of their heritage and tracing the origins of their name can uncover interesting stories and distant relatives. The name Fernekes is a reminder of the family’s legacy and of the special traits of the fox – the symbol of their surname.
Order DNA origin analysisFernekes: Where does the name Fernekes come from?
The last name Fernekes is not particularly common today, although it has been recorded in various countries across the world. Currently, the greatest concentration of people using the Fernekes surname can be found in the United States, where it is estimated to have been used by over 600 individuals. Beyond that, the name has been found in areas such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Australia.
In the US, the Fernekes surname is most prevalent in the Midwestern states of Illinois, Michigan, and Missouri. Specific locations that show high levels of the name include Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, and Leavenworth, all located in the state of Kansas. Although most of those who share the Fernekes name today are ethnically German, the surname may have also have been adopted by those of other ethnic backgrounds.
Since the name is not particularly common, it is likely that many people who share the Fernekes surname today are related in some way, either through direct family lines or more distant connections. There have been numerous efforts to compile records of the name’s heritage, including the Fernekes History Project and the Fernekes Surname Project. These resources have helped to connect those who share the name, and to gather and share information about its history.
Variations of the surname Fernekes
The surname Fernekes is an unusual yet distinctive one. There are several variants, spellings, and surnames stemming from the same origin.
The most common variant of Fernekes is Fernkorn, which is derived from the German phrase fur eine korn, which translates to 'for a grain.' The spelling Fernkes is another variant, though it is less common than Fernkorn. There is also the spelling Fernikorn, likely an alternate spelling of Fernkorn.
There is also the German spelling Fernken, and the spelling Farnekens, which is an archaic form derived from the Middle English word faranke, which translates to 'stranger.' Interestingly, this form became associated with the surname Fernkes in the 19th century.
Other surnames that have derived from the same origin as Fernekes include Fossenkemper, Fessenkamper, Funcken, and Fleckenkemper. Fossenkemper is derived from German words meaning 'forest against the heights.' Fessenkamper is derived from Low German words meaning 'far out from the village.' Funcken is believed to have originated from Funckit or Funcke, a pet-form of the given name Werner. Fleckenkemper is derived from German words meaning 'patchwork steward.'
The surnames linking back to Fernekes reflects the diversity and evolution of language from German culture. As a result, many spellings, variants, and surnames derived from the same origin provide a unique historical meaning to the name Fernekes.
Famous people with the name Fernekes
- Abbie Fernekes: Abbie is an American artist who uses photography to bridge digital, physical and interactive media in her installations and live performances.
- Frank Fernekes: Frank is a two-time Emmy Award Winning Hollywood Screenwriter whose credits include such feature films as Righteous Kill, Phat Beach, and Get Shorty.
- Williams Fernekes: Williams is an International Competitor in the sport of Muay Thai Kickboxing from Los Angeles, California.
- Renzo Fernekes: Renzo is a phenomenally successful Entrepreneur who is most famously known as the founder of Multi-Style Quotient, a large interactive media production and consulting firm.
- Sharon Fernekes: Sharon is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, film & television composer, and multi-instrumentalist.
- Dave Fernekes: Dave is an internationally awarded documentary photographer whose photographs have been published widely across the world in books, magazines, newspapers and as part of museum exhibitions.
- Mark Fernekes: Mark is a multi-platinum-selling record producer and songwriter who has worked with a host of the biggest names in music.
- Abigail Fernekes: Abigail is a two-time award-winning nonfiction writer and documentary filmmaker.
- Melissa Fernekes: Melissa is a former professional soccer player who is now an accomplished sports agent and an advocate for female athletes.
- Anna Fernekes: Anna is an Olympic Ice Skating champion, starring in the film "Ice Princess," which is now considered one of the most successful figure skating movies in history.