Surname Soanes - Meaning and Origin

Soanes: What does the surname Soanes mean?

According to research, the surname Soanes is most commonly found in the country of England. It is a topographic surname derived from a physical geographical feature of the area, specifically a river, stream, or marsh area. It is thought to have been derived from the Old English word 'sune' which means 'swan.'

The surname is mostly concentrated in higher densities in the Midlands area of England. As a result, it is believed that the surname is likely to have originated from the Midlands areas in England, though this is not necessarily the case.

The name may have been adopted by those who subsequently moved into other parts of the country, as many families did in past centuries. It could be that the surname itself might have been taken on by a family living near a river or stream – a geographical feature that may not necessarily have been named 'Soanes.'

Overall, while the exact origin of the surname Soanes is not definitively known, the most likely source is from a geographical feature offering a connection to a swan. The meaning of the name is likely to have been adopted from a physical landscape feature.

Soanes: Where does the name Soanes come from?

The surname Soanes is derived from an Anglo-Saxon personal name of unknown origin and is recorded in England since the 12th Century. The name is more commonly found in areas with a strong Anglo-Saxon heritage such as East Anglia, especially Norfolk, and parts of the Southwest of England such as Devon and Cornwall. A significant population of Soanes can also be found in countries with strong historical connections to England such as Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Today, the last name Soanes is still found throughout England and the English-speaking world, with concentration in East Anglia and the Southwest of England. It is especially common in the Kent and Surrey regions with a large population of Soanes' families residing in those areas.

In the United States, the last name Soanes is primarily concentrated in the western part of the country, including California, Arizona, and Texas, with smaller pockets located in the Midwest and Southeast.

In Australia, Soanes has a strong presence in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

The last name Soanes is widely found in the United Kingdom and the English-speaking countries of the world, more concentrated in areas with strong Anglo-Saxon heritage. The surname is still relatively popular in England and the United States, with large pockets in Australia as well.

Variations of the surname Soanes

The surname Soanes is of English origin, originating from the English county of Norfolk. It is most commonly spelled Soanes, but it also has a number of variants including Soan, Soyne, Sowne, Sowney, and Soane. It can also be spelled de Soanes, Soune, Sownes, Soanes, Sovereign, Soanes, and occasionally Soune.

The Soanes surname can be traced back several centuries to East Anglia in England. Records show that it was first established in Norfolk at Upwell Hall, where Richard Soanes was recorded as owning property in 1351. Early records of the name also suggest that it is derived from "son of Soane," linking it to the personal name Soane.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Soanes surname was quite common in East Anglia. It can be found in many old Norfolk families and was very popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

The most famous bearer of this surname is far and away, the architect Sir Christopher Wren, who served as the principal architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral in London. He was born to the Soanes family in Norfolk, and that long line of architects is still active with more than a dozen practitioners currently working in the area.

Other associated spellings of the name are Sownes, Soan, Soyne, and Soune. All of which have various alternate surnames which are variations of the same meaning.

Famous people with the name Soanes

• Rupert Soanes: British businessman with over 30 years of experience in oil and gas industry.
• Richard Soanes: Atomic engineer and Plasma physics theorist.
• Robert Soanes: Author of science-fiction series, The Obscuring Light.
• Polly Soanes: British comedian and actress, best known for her appearances on BBC3, BBC2 and Comedy Central.
• Emily Soanes: British journalist and broadcaster, best known for her reporting on current affairs and health.
• David Soanes: Architect and interior designer who worked on some of London's most iconic buildings.
• Toby Soanes: Award winning cartoonist and illustrator.
• Claire Soanes: Award winning visual artist, sculptor and installation artist.
• Charlotte Soanes: British playwright and screenwriter, known for her work on stage and screen, such as the adaptation of Jane Eyre.
• Victoria Soanes: British singer-songwriter, best known for her work in folk-pop and indie music genres.

Other surnames

Soane