Surname Foye - Meaning and Origin
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Foye: What does the surname Foye mean?
The last name Foye is of French origin and is believed to be derived from the word cheveux, which means “haired one”. It may also have come from the Norman phrase “fouillez,” which refers to one who guards or shepherds a flock of sheep. Over time, the name Foye has evolved to become a more general surname that carries a variety of meanings.
Today, Foye is a popular surname throughout the English-speaking world, with people of various backgrounds and nationalities bearing the name. In the United States, the meaning of Foye is generally believed to be derived from the word foie, which means “faith” or “loyalty”. In Old French, this meaning is also present in the phrase “je foie,” which means “I believe”. Alternatively, some historians believe that the origin of Foye can be traced back to Old French and Latin words which mean “journey” or “traveler”.
In spite of its many possible meanings, the Foye family name typically carries connotations of strength, loyalty, and faith. The Foye surname reflects these qualities in its emphasis on the importance of maintaining loyalty, even when one is on a journey or faced with difficult circumstances. It also suggests the strength of character that is often necessary when faced with adversity or a test of one’s faith.
Order DNA origin analysisFoye: Where does the name Foye come from?
The surname Foye can be found in countries all over the world, with common occurrences in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the United States, states such as Georgia, Arkansas, and Texas have a significant population with the Foye surname.
In the United Kingdom, the surname is more prevalent in counties such as Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex. As of the 2011 census, the number of Foye’s in the UK had leapt 44.6% from 2001. This is a much higher increase than the average of 3.7% found amongst men’s surnames in those counties.
Central and Western Africa also have a high concentration, particularly Nigeria, where the name is believed to originate. The Foye surname is most commonly found in Eastern states such as Ebonyi and Delta.
The Foye name is also found commonly in the Caribbean, mainly the islands of Saint Vincent and Grenada. Here the Foye name is often used as a nickname for their full name, often simple abbreviations such as Foyenet or Foyemar, suggesting Caribbean origin.
Ultimately, Foye is a common name amongst many other countries throughout the world, easily found with some simple internet research.
Variations of the surname Foye
The surname Foye is of English, Irish and Scottish origin. There are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Foye, including Fay, Fey, Foy, MacFee, Fee, Fea, Feye, Fog, Fogg, Faughey, Foggett, Fauge, Faye, Fahey, and MacDuff.
The original spelling of Foye is derived from Middle English and Old French foy, meaning “loyalty.” In England, the Foye surname originates in the Anglo-Norman French loyale, which became Fay in the 13th century. In Ireland, the Foye and Fay surnames are of both English and Gaelic origins. The Gaelic form of the Foye surname is Mac an Fhíodha, derived from a personal name derived from the Gaelic word fíodh, meaning “wood.”
Most variants of the surname Foye originated in Ireland. The Irish Gaelic spelling, Mac an Fhíodha, gave way to a variety of surnames such as MacFee, MacDuff and MacFey, which are prominent throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland. In England, the variant Fay was widespread and eventually spread to North America. Apfaay, Afaay, and Affaay are of English derivation.
The Foye surname may also have been spelled Foy, Feye, Fey, Faughey or Foggett in England, and Faye, Fahey, Fogg, or Fog in Ireland. The variants Van de Fey and Van de Foy, common in the Low Countries of northern Europe, are derived from the Foye surname.
No matter what variant of the surname Foye it is, it is derived from the same root word—”Loyalty”—and is likely to have originated in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
Famous people with the name Foye
- Jared Foye: American basketball player, playing in the Danish Basketball League
- Rick Foye: Former NFL player
- Pat Foye: Retired NFL executive
- Sean Foye: Professional lacrosse player
- Djimon Hounsou: Beninese-American actor known professionally as Djimon Hounsou, married to model Kimora Lee Simmons who was formerly known as Kimora Lee Foye
- Nokki Foye: South African volleyball player
- Freddie Foye: American country singer
- Paul Foye: British children’s author
- Ashton Foye: Northern Irish cricketer
- Andrea Foye: Reggae/Dancehall vocalist