Surname Fothersgill - Meaning and Origin
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Fothersgill: What does the surname Fothersgill mean?
The last name Fothersgill is derived from the Old Norse words Fótr or Fotr (primary root meaning foot) and Gil (gill, a ravine or narrow valley). The two words combined translate to 'gully or valley beside a stream'.
The first recorded use of this surname dates back to 1206, in North Yorkshire, and it is thought that the earliest people to bear the name were vassals of Etelwen, the Heiress of Fothergill. From there, the Fothersgill line quickly spread across England, with mentions of the name listed in the feet of fine rolls in Berkshire in 1272, Derbyshire in 1282, and Buckinghamshire in 1327.
The name Fothersgill is most common in Northern England, and is associated with Yorkshire, Durham, Lancashire, and Northumberland counties. It has many associated variations, including Fothergill, Feathersill, Fothesill, Fethurseill, Futersill, and Fethersill.
Despite its English origins, the name is still relatively uncommon and remains a marker of distinction. The name Fothersgill carries with it a rich and interesting history that spans centuries, making it a proud name to have and carry forward through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisFothersgill: Where does the name Fothersgill come from?
The last name Fothersgill is most commonly found in England today. It is associated with counties in the north of the country, such as Yorkshire and Durham, although records show that the name has spread south and can now be found across the country.
Fothersgill is an English locational surname, which means it originated from a place name. In this case, it was derived from the village of Fothersghill which is located in the county of County Durham in the North East of England. The village dates back to at least the 11th century when it was documented in the Domesday Book.
The Fothersgill name is a reminder of the traditional occupation of the people from that area, with many people working in farming and agriculture. It is possible that the name was originally a nickname for someone who tended cattle or sheep ‘at the sgill’.
The Fothersgill surname is still prominent today in the north of England. It is found in Yorkshire and Durham, particularly Cleveland and Wearside, where it is one of the most common surnames. Additionally, in recent years, many people across the country have adopted the Fothersgill name as one of their ancestors may have originated from County Durham.
Today, the Fothersgill surname is spread throughout England, with many people proudly bearing the surname, and recalling its roots in County Durham.
Variations of the surname Fothersgill
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Fothersgill include Fothergill, Fothergyl, Fothringill, Fothringyle, Foothergill, Foothergyll, Foothergyle, Fothergyle, Foggergill, Fothergey, Fothershaw, Fuddragil, Fudragill, Fudrayle, Fudregill, Fudregyle, and Fothergillles.
The surname Fothersgill is an English locational name from near the Cumbria-Durham border in northern England, deriving from the Old Norse personal name Ásgeirr, a form of the Old Germanic name Ansgar, and Old English or Old Norse gill "(stream or) ravine".
The earliest recorded spelling of the surname Fothersgill is that of Isabella Fodreskil, appearing in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire in 1285.
The name saw some significant changes in its spelling over the years, going from Fudresgyl and Fudregil in the 1300s to Fodresgil and Fodrygyll in the 1400s, Fodreskel in the 1500s and the now traditional spelling of Fothersgill in the 1600s.
Spelling variations of the surname Fothersgill have included Fothergill, Fothergile, Fothergyll, Fothergile, Foothergill, and Foothergyll. Other variants include Fothergey, Fothringill, Fothringyle, Foggergill, and Fothershaw.
The surname Fothersgill is still well represented in northern England, Scotland, and North America. The Fothersgill name is part of a larger family name, Fothergillles, that includes a number of alternative spellings, including Fotherglase, Fothergles, and Fothergilis.
Famous people with the name Fothersgill
- Joe Fothergill: British actor, best known for his roles in the films Dead Man's Shoes, Signed Sealed Delivered, and U Want Me 2 Kill Him?
- Barbara Fothergill: British actress most noted for her sitcom roles in On the Buses and Coronation Street
- Matt Fothergill: British bass guitarist, most notable for being the original bassist for the band Feeder
- John Fothergill: English physician and philanthropist, founder of the London Dispensary
- Edwin Fothergill: British shipbuilder, designer of the J-Class Yacht Shamrock V
- Jimmy Fothergill: British boxer, middleweight champion from 1922-1924
- Douglas Fothergill: British Army officer, recipient of the Victoria Cross
- William Fothergill: British clergyman, lecturer, and former chaplain of the Queen’s College at the University of Oxford
- Ermina Fothergill: English artist and writer best known for her landscape paintings
- Percy Fothergill: American lawyer and former mayor of Newport, Rhode Island