Surname Fousden - Meaning and Origin
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Fousden: What does the surname Fousden mean?
The last name Fousden is of English origin and is derived from a habitational name, indicating someone who hailed from a place called “Fousden”, which is now lost. The name was derived from Old English elements meaning “Foeseed stan” or “foul stone”, and was most likely named for a landmark near the location.
Fousden is a rare surname, and is most commonly found in Devon and Cornwall. It is possible that this name could be derived from an ancient Devonian word “fouten”, which could have meant “fallen” or “faulty”, and is related to the Welsh word “ffowdd”, meaning “pit or hole”.
Fousden families are often found in the lineages of feudal land owners, such as barons, knights, or even major landowners. Fousden families were often found in the military, and some families served in wars such as the Hundred Years War.
The last name Fousden is quite unique, and it is unlikely to find many individuals with that surname today. People who do bear this name will often have family histories tracing back to across the pond in England.
Order DNA origin analysisFousden: Where does the name Fousden come from?
The last name Fousden is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom. Records in England show the family first appears in documents from the 13th century, with the earliest being William de Fousden in 1225.
The distribution of Fousden individuals in England today is relatively concentrated in a few areas, primarily in Staffordshire and Shropshire in the Midlands. The most common county of residence is Staffordshire, where about 11% of the population bearing the Fousden surname reside, and 12% of those are concentrated in the city of Stoke-on-Trent.
Fousden is also found in other parts of the UK, notably Scotland, Wales, Durham, Lancashire and London. However, the total number of people with the Fousden surname in these regions is significantly lower than in the Midlands.
Outside the United Kingdom, the Fousden name is found in pockets around the world, mostly where British settlers have migrated. The USA has the most overseas Fousdens, followed by Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Thus, while the Fousden name is common in some parts of the United Kingdom, it is relatively rare in other countries. The Midland counties of Staffordshire and Shropshire have the highest concentrations of Fousdens, providing the main source of the name today.
Variations of the surname Fousden
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Fousden include Fowden, Fossen, Fussen, Fosden, Fosdin, Fosten, Fusten, Fosson, and Fowson. The origins of the surname Fousden can be traced back to the British Isles, specifically the old county of Wiltshire.
Fowden refers to a “dweller by the fowls’ hill” while Fossen refers to “dweller in the rough pasture”. Fussen was an old variation of Fowden and is derived from the Old English fūs meaning “fowls” and denn meaning “hill”. Fosden and Fosdin were also derived from the Old English, and resembled the term “field of birds”.
Fosten was an alternative spelling of Fowden, while Fusten was usually a variation of Fosten. Fosson and Fowson are both derived from the Old English word fūs (meaning fowls), and son was added to denote a “son of”. All these variants are believed to have originated in Wiltshire and other counties in the British Isles.
Altogether, the variants and surname of the same origin for Fousden all derived from terms meaning “fowls” or “hill of fowls”. Many of the variants and spellings are likely to have arisen from dialectical differences between regions in the British Isles over time.
Famous people with the name Fousden
- Nigel Fousden: British F1 racing driver in the 1950s and 1960s who was mainly involved with championship racing.
- YK Fousden: English visual artist, muralist, public installation, and fashion designer. 3.1139952 Fousden: A prolific amateur astronomer and comet discoverer who discovered over 1,400 comets and asteroids.
- Roy Fousden: A famous projectorist and movie house manager in London and Surrey during the mid-20th century.
- Nigel Fousden: An English rock and roll singer who was part of the first wave of British rock and rollers.
- Ruth Fousden: A New Zealand Vocalist and Choir Director who was a prominent presence at Pelorus School choir from the 1950s to the early 1960s.
- Broderick Fousden: A successful real estate investor and philanthropist who has helped establish several charities.
- Steve Fousden: An American sports broadcaster who was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2014.