Surname Foulger - Meaning and Origin

Foulger: What does the surname Foulger mean?

The surname Foulger is of English origin, and it is believed to be occupational for a bird-catcher, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "fugelere." Another theory is that it's a patronymic form of the ancient given name "Fulcher", which is composed of the elements "folk", people, and "hari, heri", army. The surname first appeared in early official documents in England around the 12th and 13th centuries. Like many surnames, spelling variations such as Folger, Fugler, Fulcher, Faulcher, Fouler, Foucher, and others have occurred over time. The name may have evolved uniquely in different regions based on local dialects and accents. Today, individuals bearing the Foulger surname can be found in many parts of the world, often tracing their roots back to England.

Foulger: Where does the name Foulger come from?

The surname Foulger is of English origin, specifically from the southeastern part of England. Derived from the Old English term "fuglere," it was an occupational name given to a birdcatcher or fowler, individuals whose job was to capture wild birds. Variations of the surname include Fowler, Fugler, and Vowler.

While the Foulger surname is rare, it is most prevalent today in England, particularly in the Norfolk region where some of the very first members of this family lineage settled. The surname can also be found in the United States, Australia, and Canada although with less frequency. Genealogical records and conduct of DNA testing have played crucial roles in tracking the migration of the Foulger family over time.

Several factors can impact the prevalence and distribution of a surname, including migration patterns, population growth, cultural trends, and historical events. Thus, while it is not currently amongst the most common surnames globally, people with the surname Foulger continue to contribute to diverse fields in the countries where they currently reside.

Variations of the surname Foulger

The surname Foulger is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word "fulgere" or "fuglere" meaning "fowler" or "bird catcher". This occupational name may have denoted essentially a catcher or someone who had the job of supplying meat or game birds for the master's table.

Variants and spellings of the name include: Fulger, Fulgher, Fouler, Fulker, Fugler, Foughler, Foulger, and Foogler.

In addition, the name may have evolved regionally into other similar names in different languages. For instance, the German equivalent is Vogler or Vögeler, the Scandinavian version is Fuglerud, the Dutch is Vogelaar, and in old French, it's Volier or Voillot.

As it is customary with many surnames of this type, some people may use contemporary words relating to birds to approximate the original meaning, resulting in names like Bird or Byrd.

However, it is important to note that while the phonetic similarities and potential for common occupational origins exist, these variants could also have diverse roots in various geographical areas, so each requires individual research for accurate lineage tracing.

Famous people with the name Foulger

• Byron Foulger: He was an American film and television actor with more than three hundred films and multiple television series to his credit.
• Susan Bay Nimoy: She was born as Susan Linda Bay and later took the last name "Foulger" when she married John Foulger. She is better known as the widow of actor Leonard Nimoy who played Spock in "Star Trek".
• Marjorie Foulger: She was the wife of actor Byron Foulger and was a film actress in her own right.
• John Foulger: He was a British-born American painter who was also the father of Susan Bay Nimoy. These seem to be the most well-known individuals with the last name "Foulger". As this is not a highly common surname, there may be some additional notable Foulger family members who have local or regional fame for various accomplishments.

Other surnames

Foulgier