Surname Foulke - Meaning and Origin
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Foulke: What does the surname Foulke mean?
The surname Foulke is an ancient English name, believed to derive from the Middle English word "fouke," which means "hawk." Hawk is believed to have been a nickname given to an individual who was deemed to be a fierce and agile fighter or huntsman, qualities befitting a bird of prey. As such, the surname Foulke may have been a hereditary name given to those descendants of a noteworthy ancestor who was known for their penchant for hunting.
The name Foulke spread to what is now modern-day England in the 12th century, when it was primary used in Oxfordshire and Berkshire. As time went on, it became more widely used as families moved into more rural areas. As such, the name Foulke could be seen in many of the northern shires throughout the 13th and 14th centuries.
The modern Foulke family in England is largely descended from a prominent line that goes back to Norman times. Some members of this family were among the earliest settlers of America in the 1500s. From there, the surname was carried to other countries, and today Foulke is mainly used in the United States, Australia, and Canada.
As a whole, the name Foulke has long been equated with courage and bravery. Despite its veteran medieval roots, it stands as a reminder of the strength of those who have been willing to stand up and fight for what they believe in.
Order DNA origin analysisFoulke: Where does the name Foulke come from?
Today, the last name Foulke is most commonly found in the United States and Britain. In the US, most Foulkes are concentrated in Pennsylvania, where the name is indigenous to that state. It also has a high concentration of Foulkes in California, the Midwest, and the South. In the UK, most Foulkes are concentrated in the Midlands, especially in the West Midlands.
The origin of the name Foulke has Germanic and Anglo-Saxon roots, suggesting that it may once have been part of an immigration to either the United States or Britain. It originated as a nickname and evolved from medieval English which was spelt as either ‘Foulke’, 'Foulkes’ or 'Fulke'.
Regardless of its origin, the name Foulke has been around for centuries and is a common surname today. There are many variations of the name Foulke, such as "Foulkes-Jones", "Foulks" and "Foulkie".
Foulke is a name of antiquity, and today it can be found amongst many different families who have immigrated to different countries, and many who still have ties to their original countries, making Foulke a common last name among many people from different countries.
Variations of the surname Foulke
The surname Foulke or Foulkes is the anglicized form of the Welsh name, 'Foulkes.' It is derived from one of three sources: either from the Old French 'fouleye,' which means 'bird catcher;' from the Old English 'folc,' which means 'people;' or from the Old Danish 'folki,' meaning 'people.'
Variants of this surname include Folkes, Folkgs, Foulks, Foalkes, Fowlkes, Foulkers, Foulkes, Foulckes, Falchs, and Foulckhurst.
The spelling 'Foulkes' was used by the Scottish poet, Robert Foulkes, who was a follower of Robert Burns during the 18th century. Michael Foulkes, who studied French literature and linguistics, was a professor at University College London during the early 20th century.
Surnames of the same origin include Fawks, Fowks, Faukes, Fowkes, Folkes, Faucks, Fauchs, Fewkes, Faukys, and Faver. These names can be found in many British records, especially those of Ireland and Scotland.
The Foulkes family in England dates back to the early 1300's, when William Foulke was recorded in the 'Subsidy Rolls of Cambridgeshire' during the reign of Edward I. John Foulkes, a member of the East India Company, was recorded in London records in 1580. During the 1700's, a prominent family of Foulkes resided at Boxford, Berkshire.
The Foulisks are a substantial family, believed to be of Celtic origin, who migrate from Wales to Ireland during the early Middle Ages and later settled in northern England. The 'History, Toponomy, and Family History of County Fermanagh' also lists the Foulears, who gained their name from the Gaelic 'fearann,' which means 'land,' and the Foulens, believed to derive their name from the Old French 'fouler,' which means 'to trample.'
Famous people with the name Foulke
- Chris Foulke, former chairman of the Illinois Gaming Board.
- Roy Foulke, American businessman and former United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
- William E. Foulke, former American state legislator in Indiana.
- William Henry Foulke, American politician from Indiana.
- Mason Foulke, American actor.
- Joshua Foulke, English Anglican priest.
- Ed Foulke, former assistant secretary of labor in charge of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
- James Foulke, American football coach.
- Andres Foulke, baseball shortstop.
- Gilbert A. Foulke, American political scientist.
- John Foulke, American footballer.
- Matt Foulke, American basketball player.
- Florence B. Foulke, American poet and novelist.
- Robert Foulke, British actor.
- Will Foulke, English footballer.
- Fred Foulke, American engineer.
- Lawrence Foulke, American actor.
- Kenneth Foulke, American netballer.
- Joe Foulke, baseball pitcher.
- Thomas Foulke, English politician.