Surname Fowke - Meaning and Origin

Fowke: What does the surname Fowke mean?

The last name Fowke is of English origin. It is believed to have originated from two possible sources: the Old English words ‘fa’ meaning ‘faw’ or ‘fán’, meaning fern, and the Middle English words ‘fouke’, ‘fouk’ or ‘foeke’, meaning a fierce or brave man or warrior.

The Fowke surname first appeared in England in the 12th century with the spelling variations Fok, Foke and Fokke. It is an occupational name from a variety of positions such as a maker of forge fires and nails, a maker of fullers’ tools, a bailiff, a gamekeeper or a herdsman.

This surname is quite rare, but it is still in use in parts of England today. Also, Fowke is found in other countries such as Canada, the United States of America and Australia.

The Fowke family may have its origin in Derbyshire, England, where the earliest recorded Fowke family comes from. The Derbyshire Fowkes are said to be descended from warriors who fought and died in the Battle of Hastings. They have held various hereditary offices in the county, such as that of Bailiff of High Peak.

Today, the record of the Fowke name is still visible around Derbyshire, most notably at St Giles’ Church in the village of Wyaston, where a member of the Fowke family is buried.

The last name Fowke carries a strong sense of history and ancestry, one of fierce courage and loyalty to family.

Fowke: Where does the name Fowke come from?

The surname Fowke is most common in a variety of countries today, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.

In the United States, where the surname originated, it ranks as the 7,179th most common name. The majority of its holders live in the northeast, and the states of Texas, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are amongst the top states of residence.

In Canada, the name is especially clustered in Ontario, where it is ranked as the 1,825th most common surname. In the United Kingdom, it is ranked as the 4,906th most common surname, and in Australia, it is ranked as the 2,011th most common surname.

In all of these countries, a majority of the people who carry this surname are of English descent, with smaller populations of Irish, Scottish, Dutch, and German heritage.

This name, with its variant spellings, is also found in many other countries around the world, such as South Africa, India, and the Philippines.

Overall, the surname Fowke is widely spread around the world, particularly in the countries of its origin. It is particularly prominent in English-speaking countries, indicating the beginnings of the surname as an Anglicised version of its original form.

Variations of the surname Fowke

The surname Fowke is a variant of the Middle English name Fouke or Folke, which is derived from the Old English name Folca, meaning “wolf.” Variations of this surname can include Foulke, Foulkes, Foulks, and Foole, as well as its alternate spellings Fowkes and Fowk.

Found most commonly in the United Kingdom, Fowke is a British surname prevalent in areas such as Cheshire, Lincolnshire, Hampshire, and Berkshire. It appears in records dating back to the 12th century, primarily in the areas of England that border Scotland.

Various other similar surnames stemming from Fowke include Fowkeson, Fowkeman, Fowkner, and Fowkesey. In some places, “son of Fowke” became a common surname, with people bearing such surnames having a higher likelihood of ancestry from the Fowke family.

The surname, along with some of its variants, is also found in areas such as Canada, Ireland, South Africa, and the United States. There, it has been found to have links to the settlement of colonial immigrants, where this surname may have assumed more Americanized variations such as Foulks, Falk, Folkes, and Falkner.

Overall, the presence of the surname Fowke in the old records of Europe and North America indicates that the family name is likely of Anglo-Saxon and Norman origin. Regardless of the form, this surname can be traced to its shared root as “Fulca”, which meant a “wolf.”

Famous people with the name Fowke

• Joe Fowke: English professional footballer and coach
• Francis Fowke: British military engineer and architect
• Clare Fowke: Canadian children's author
• Maria Fowke: Australia-based fashion illustrator
• George Fowke: British sculptor
• Thomas Fowke: English automative engineer
• Andrew Fowke: English cricketer
• John Fowke: Australian politician
• Frank Fowke: Canadian-born photographer
• Bill Fowke: British drag racer

Other surnames

Fowkes