Surname Ox - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'O'
Ox: What does the surname Ox mean?
The surname Ox is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a topographical name derived from the Old English pre 7th Century "oxa", meaning "ox". It was given to someone who lived by a place where oxen were kept, such as a farm. Sometimes, it might have been a nickname for a person who was as strong as an ox or resembled one in some other way. The name traces its roots back to the early middle ages in England and its first recorded spelling dates back to the 13th century. There are numerous variations and spellings of the name, such as Oxen, Oksen, Oxman, and Oxon, amongst others. Despite its English origin, the surname is found in different parts of the world today due to migration over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisOx: Where does the name Ox come from?
The last name Ox is primarily found in English-speaking countries, with roots in Anglo-Saxon Britain. Most commonly found in England and the United States, there are also seemingly unrelated Ox surnames from France and Scandinavia.
In England, the name originated from several places; Oxbridge (a nickname for the dual city of Cambridge and Oxford), the rural Oxenhall farm in Gloucestershire, or from a nickname for people with strong arms; the ‘oxen of the earth’. The name could also be a derivation from 'Ocks', which could be the short form of one of the many nicknames of the Old English name ‘Osmund’.
In the United States, the surname is found mostly in states that were established by the first English colonists. These states include the original thirteen plus other states such as Pennsylvania and Minnesota.
The Ox surname is reported to be among the top 40 most common surnames in Augusta, Richmond County, Georgia.
The surnames bearing the Ox name spread across many countries in Europe and beyond. Examples include France, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Switzerland, Belarus, Russia, Latvia, and Poland.
The last name Ox remains a common name, particularly in English-speaking countries. It is perhaps best known for being the surname of early settler Miles Oxenbridge, American lawyer Robert Oxenbridge, and English children's author and illustrator Ruth Oxenbridge.
Variations of the surname Ox
The surname Ox is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English word 'x' (meaning 'ox') which was used mainly as a nickname referring to a size and strength of the person or as an occupational name for someone who cared for or owned oxen.
The variants of the surname include Oxe, Ocx, Ocks, Och, Ocex, Ockx, Ockson, Ockston, Okse, Oxen, Oxon and Oxenford. All of these variants have the same Anglo-Saxon origin as Ox and they refer to the same meaning in regards to a strong person or someone who works with oxen.
Spellings of the surname Ox can also vary from the traditional spelled version. These variations include Ocx, Ocks, Och, Ocex, Ockx, Ockson, Ockston, Okse, Oxen, Oxon and Oxenford. These variations are mainly due to different spellings and regional dialects of the same surname.
Surnames that are related to Ox include Ocker, Ockers, Ockerton, Oxford, Oxley, Oxly, Oxburgh, Oxburrow, Oxfordshire, Oxleigh, Oxlade, Oxman, Oxton and Oxlea. All of these surnames have the same root as the surname Ox, which is the Old English word 'x', but they may have been adapted from either a specific locality or country or even a patronymic.
Overall, Ox and its variants and related surnames were derived from the Old English word 'x', which referred to a strong person or someone who works with oxen. These variations of the surname have spread across the globe as immigrants have embraced the name and taken it with them to different countries.
Famous people with the name Ox
- Jared Ox Andersen: American actor known for his roles in films such as "Boy Genius" and "We Have to Stop Now".
- Although Penny Ox is a fictional character on the popular television show, Big Bang Theory, her last name is Ox.
- Thane Oxenreider: a professional American-German footballer and current entertainment editor for Outside Magazine.
- Del Oxenrider: actor and producer who has appeared in "Big Time Rush", "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and "Meadowland".
- Ingrid Ox: Danish painter and printmaker, settled in England during the 1940s to pursue art creation and painting.
- Grant Ox: a professional American football player for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Mai Thi Ox: a Vietnamese-Swedish pop singer, known for her popular single "Hit the Dancefloor".
- Jill Ox: American TV writer and co-producer for the Disney Channel's show, Andi Mack.
- Steven Oxen: musician, multi-instrumentalist and composer, best known as a founding member of the indie rock bands The Apples In Stereo and The Instruments.
- Diahann Ox: British-born singer, songwriter and record producer, who has recently released her tenth album, titled "Wish You Were Here".