Surname Foell - Meaning and Origin

Foell: What does the surname Foell mean?

The last name Foell is of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word "vol" meaning "one who lives on a piece of land". This indicates that the original bearer of the name was likely a farmer or otherwise engaged in agriculture.

The surname appears to have its roots in a particular region of Germany, with variant spellings such as Föhl, Foehl, Föhle, Foel, Voell, Voel and Voele. In some cases, it is believed that the same family root may be responsible for the various different spellings, as some of the variants appear to have arisen from Anglicization of the spelling as families with the name began to emigrate to the United States and the United Kingdom.

During World War II, the name Foell became well-known through the service of Hermann Foell, a German soldier who earned the Knight's Cross (an esteemed military medal awarded during World War II). His service in the battles at Stalingrad, Sebastopol and Romania was admired and praised.

Today, the last name Foell is found across Germany, the United States, and broader western Europe. Those with the name can be proud of their family roots which, even though they have been spread across many parts of the world, remain deeply connected to the origins of the surname which can be traced back to a time before the many political boundaries that divide us today.

Foell: Where does the name Foell come from?

The surname Foell is found predominantly in Germany, with some presence in Austria, Belgium and the United States. There is even a small Foell settlement located in the Lower Saxony region of northern Germany.

In the United States, the highest concentration of individuals with the last name Foell is located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The Foell's of this area are descended from Johann Friderick Foell, who immigrated to the United States from Germany in the early 1800s. Beyond the few Foell families in Wisconsin, the surname is sparsely distributed across the US, usually concentrated along the east coast.

Today, Foells are rarely found in large numbers anywhere in the world, although it is possible to read some headlines about individual Foells every now and then. The most notable modern-day Foell is probably television presenter Jimmy Foell from Germany. He is best known for his shows "My Name is Jimmy Foell" and "Foell's Lifestyle".

Overall, the last name Foell has waned somewhat, but it is still common in its home country of Germany and other German-dominated areas. Those searching for modern-day Foells in the United States are most likely to find them in Wisconsin.

Variations of the surname Foell

The surname Foell (pronounced fellowship) is of Germanic origin and has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of them include Föll, Foehl, Foehlke, Foellmer, Foelt, Foelke, Foelle and Föllen.

A variant spelling of Foell is Föll, which in its most common form is spelled “Föllen”. This variant is often seen as a variant form of the surname Fechtel, and has been found in several different regions of Germany.

The surname Foellmer is the Germanified form of the Slavic surname Fialmar. This variant is mainly associated with Eastern Germany and parts of Austria. It is believed to have originated in the areas of Silesia, Brandenburg and Saxony.

The Foelt variant is believed to have come from a personal name, possibly “Foel”. This variant is often found in North Rhine Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate.

The Foelke variant is thought to have originated in regions of Germany located between the Rhine River and the North Sea. It is also believed to have come from a personal name, most likely “Foelgr” or “Foelko”.

The Foelle variant is even less commonly found than the other variants, and is believed to have come from a variety of sources, including Eastern Germany and Silesia.

The Föllen variant is the most common variant of the Foell surname. It is believed to have originated in Germany, and is more commonly found in Western Germany.

Overall, the surname Foell is a Germanic surname and, as such, can take many different forms and spellings. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are Föll, Foehl, Foehlke, Foellmer, Foelt, Foelke, Foelle and Föllen.

Famous people with the name Foell

• John Foell: Award-winning American actor, best known for his roles in the films Patch Adams, Bailey's Billion$, and Three Men and a Baby.
• Nolan Foell: Canadian film and television actor who has appeared in various shows including Strange Empire and Other People's Children.
• Peter Foell: German writer and former ambassador to Brazil.
• Tim Foell: American television and film producer.
• Christopher Foell: American architect, sculptor and graphic designer.
• Bruce Foell: Long-time mayor of Gary, Indiana and former United Steelworkers of America leader who proposed the idea of a Gary Airport.
• Wilbur Foell: Iowa state auditor and Senator.
• Gregg Foell: American psychologist and doctor of behavioral medicine.
• Andrea Foell: German television presenter.
• Cindy Foell Hacker: American volleyball player.
• Thomas Foell: German theologian, author, and Professor of Fundamental Theology at the University of Bonn.
• Joanne Foell: Canadian curler.
• Jan Foell: German interior designer and manufacturer of auto accessories.
• Richard Foell: Retired United States Marine Corps major general.
• Fritz Foell: Swiss jazz singer, actor, and dance instructor.
• Jürgen Foell: German business manager and entrepreneur.
• Paul Foell: American character actor, radio personality, and baseball player.
• Mike Foell: American musician and composer.
• David Foell Jr.: American actor, director, and producer.
• Fran Foell: American singer and songwriter.

Other surnames

FoelckelFoelkeFoelkelFoelkerFoellerFoellmerFoelz