Surname Vose - Meaning and Origin
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Vose: What does the surname Vose mean?
The surname Vose is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English term "fugel", which means bird. Over time, "fugel" got corrupted to "fowls" and then to "vowels", which eventually became "Vose". There are other interpretations that suggest that it could have derived from the town of Vaux in Normandy, France. Individuals with the Vose surname are likely to have ancestors that were bird catchers or bird traders. However, like many surnames, it is quite possible that different branches of the Vose family may have different origins for the surname. Surname etymology is often speculative at best, as most surname origins are lost to time.
Order DNA origin analysisVose: Where does the name Vose come from?
The last name Vose is most commonly found in the United States of America. According to the United States Census Bureau, the surname Vose is most prevalent in the state of Maine, where it is ranked the 40th most common surname in the state. It is also fairly common in the state of New Hampshire where it is 21st on the list of popular surnames.
Other common places where the last name Vose can be found are in England, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where it is also listed as a common surname.
The last name Vose is thought to have originated in the British Isles with a Norman influence, although some sources list it as of Anglo-Saxon descent. It is unclear whether the surname was carried over when the Normans conquered England in 1066, or it was from a later period of Norman migration.
The Vose family was quite prominent and had a very large population in colonial Massachusetts, which was founded by the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620. The first recorded instance of the name was in the year 1586 in Stratfield Turgis, England. From there, the last name Vose spread throughout the American colonies, especially in New England.
Today, many people with the last name Vose still live in New England, but the name can also be found in other parts of the United States as well as the British Isles. There is also a small population of Vose family members living in other parts of the world, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Vose
The surname Vose has been documented in various spelling variants and surnames throughout history. It has been found as: Vos or Voe, Vause, Vousse, Vouss, Vause, Vawes, Vaws, Voss, Voose, Vouse, Vosse, Vowse, Vaus, Vaux, Vauz, Voze, Voize, Vause, Veau, Voce, Voece, Vouz, Vouce, Voucee, Voise, Vend, and Vanke.
The surname Vose is an ancient Norman name, meaning ‘strong man with a cheerful disposition.’ It is believed to have originated from the Latin name Valentius, which was introduced to Britain by the Normans.
Vose is also an English name, deriving from Old English meaning ‘son of Josse.’ It is thought that the name Josse is a Germanic name derived from Julia or the name Joseph meaning ‘God will increase’. Vose is also considered to be an anglicized form of the French surname Vausse, which itself is an altered spelling of the German Vfoz or Vauss.
The Vose surname is rarely found in Britain, but is still quite common in France and Germany. It is also known to be found in other countries, with many families having migrated to Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
Overall there are many variants of the Vose surname, with many spelling variations. In addition, Vose has multiple origins, and it is still found in many countries around the world. Thus, it is not a particularly uncommon name, but as it can have various spellings and other surnames of the same origin, it may take research to locate family members.
Famous people with the name Vose
- William Vose (1748: 1828), American merchant, shipbuilder and Revolutionary War Patriot
- Katie Vose, American author, speaker, and child-development specialist
- Thomas Vose (1794–1848), American federal judge and Congressman from Rhode Island
- Susan Vose, British actor, director, and playwright
- Mark Vose, American politician, former Mayor of Milford
- John Vose (1750–1817), American politician, former Massachusetts State Senator
- Frank Vose (1883–1919), American journalist and newspaper editor
- Brian Vose (1925–2008), American artist and woodworker
- Pete Vose (born 1976), English professional rugby union player
- Margaret Vose (1914–1997), American philanthropist and political activist