Surname Fothergill - Meaning and Origin

Fothergill: What does the surname Fothergill mean?

The last name Fothergill is a locational name with English origins. It is derived from the Old Scandinavian word "fothrikil," referring to a wood lying between two watercourses.

The earliest documented instance of the name can be traced to the late 13th century when William de Filekergill is mentioned in the Assize Rolls for county Durham. The earliest spelling variant of the name was Fyelekirkil, which later evolved into Filekersgill, Fulkergill, and eventually Fothergill.

The original bearer would have lived near an area of land that lay between two streams, or that contained a bridge spanning the two watercourses. This origin was likely the source of the surname's popularity, as the location would have yielded many resources and provided relatively easy access to transport.

Throughout the next several centuries, the Fothergill surname spread throughout northern England and, over time, has become established in parts of Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.

Today, people with the Fothergill surname are likely found scattered across the globe, their ancestral roots in an English location that had a bridge—or "forod"—between two streams.

Fothergill: Where does the name Fothergill come from?

The last name Fothergill is common in both the United States and the United Kingdom today. In the United States, the most common states are Virginia, Texas, North Carolina and California. According to the 2020 US census, Fothergill was the 15,847th most common surname in the US.

In the UK, the most popular regions for the Fothergill surname are Yorkshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire. A review of the UK census data in 2020 found the Fothergill surname to be the 3,093rd most common in the country.

The surname Fothergill is relatively popular across the English-speaking world, likely due to the proper noun that has become a more familiar last name. It is believed to originate from the Old English words “fot”, meaning foot and “gill” meaning ravine. This suggests a possible location by a watery ravine or “ford”. This meaning could easily have passed down through generations.

The Fothergill last name can also be found scattered around the world, including in Zimbabwe, Australia, South Africa, Canada and throughout Europe. Famed people with the last name Fothergill include British television presenter John Fothergill, British cyclist Christopher Fothergill and American artist Martha Fothergill.

Variations of the surname Fothergill

The surname Fothergill (also spelt Fothergill, Fothergil, Fothergille, Fothergill, Fazergill, and Fazergill) is an English toponymic surname derived from the place name in Yorkshire, Fothergill. The surname is an Anglicized form of the Medieval English personal name Falthegel. During the Middle Ages, many people took on a local name to indicate loyalty or affiliation with a particular place. This surname has also been found with variant spelling such as Fusergill, Foudergill, and Fundergill.

Historically, this surname was found in Northumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, and Nottinghamshire, all of which are in present-day England. According to records, the earliest recorded of this surname was John Fothergill, who lived in Yorkshire in 1195.

The Fothergill family were once prominent landowners in East Yorkshire and acquired control of property through inheritance or royal grant. It is believed that the family originated in Scotland and then moved to England in the 17th century. The original coat of arms of the Fothergill family is three silver dolphins on a red field, indicating multiple generations of seafaring activity.

The Fothergill surname has spread throughout the world over the centuries, both through migration and through intermarriages with those of different nationalities. In the United States, for example, the surname has been found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Michigan, and other states. It is also found in Canada, Mexico, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and other countries.

Famous people with the name Fothergill

• William Fothergill Cooke: a British inventor and inventor of the Cooke-Wheatstone telegraph.
• Adam Fothergill: an English cricketer.
• Jo Fothergill: English actress best known for roles in TV dramas such as Homefront, Holby City, and Coronation Street.
• Arthur Fothergill: a British writer and naturalist known for his works on the birds of Scotland.
• Mary Fothergill: English actress, best known for portraying Wendy Dickson in the BBC’s series The Sixth Sense.
• Richard Fothergill: English actor, best known for his roles in ITV series such as Peak Practice and Bad Girls.
• Amy Fothergill: an English actress known for her roles in dramas such as Eastenders, Emmerdale, and Call the Midwife.
• Diana Fothergill: an English stage actress, best known for her roles in plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and Anna Karenina.
• Hannah Fothergill: an English actress who plays Alfie Moon's niece in popular British soap opera, Eastenders.
• Nathanial Fothergill: British recorder-player & wind-player, specializing in the performance of historial music.

Other surnames

Fothergil