Surname Felix - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Rich Multicultural Tapestry of the Surname Felix through iGENEA DNA Test

Undergoing an iGENEA DNA test proved enlightening, revealing that my lineage predominantly spans three geographical regions - North Africa, Southern Europe, and the Middle East. The surname Felix, associated with my DNA, has shown significant links with North African Berbers and Sephardic Jews, reflecting how diverse populations intermingled throughout history.

G. Felix

Felix: What does the surname Felix mean?

The last name Felix is derived from the Latin word "Felix" meaning "lucky" or "successful". The name was often given as a nickname in the Middle Ages to individuals who were regarded as fortunate or lucky. Today, it is used as both a surname and a given name across the globe. Its popularity can be attributed to several Christian saints named Felix, as well as to its positive connotation or meaning. It is widely used in countries like Spain, Portugal, and in certain areas of Latin America due to the influence of the Spanish and Portuguese languages. There are also derivations or variations of the surname in different cultures and languages, including Fellows in English, Felis in Catalan, and de Felice in Italian, among others. Despite its Latin roots, not everyone with the surname Felix necessarily has Hispanic or Latin heritage, as the name has spread throughout Europe and beyond. Overall, the last name Felix symbolizes luck, success, and fortune.

Felix: Where does the name Felix come from?

The last name Felix is of Latin origin, stemming from the word 'felix' which translates to 'lucky' or 'successful'. It was commonly used as a personal name in classical antiquity, especially within the Roman Empire, and was transformed into a surname over time. As a surname, it was often given to individuals who were considered fortunate or successful.

Today, the last name Felix is common in various parts of the world due to migration and colonization. It is particularly prevalent in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking countries such as Spain, Portugal, Mexico, and Brazil due to the spread of the Roman Empire and subsequent influence of Latin-based languages. However, it also has a significant presence in other European countries, including France and Germany. Additionally, due to historical migration patterns, the last name can be found within the United States as well. Despite its widespread distribution, it remains more prevalent in regions with significant Hispanic or Latinx populations.

Variations of the surname Felix

The surname Felix is of Latin origin and generally used in a number of countries including Spain, Portugal, and Latin America. Variations and similar surnames include Feliz, Felice, Felici, Fèlix, and Felis. The surname is derived from the Latin word "felix" which means "lucky" or "successful". In English-speaking countries, the surname usually maintains the standard spelling as 'Felix'; however, in countries like Italy, it can have regional spelling variants.

Feliciano and Felician are considered as extended forms of the name, and these are prevalent in Italy and Romania respectively. In some instances, the name may be combined with other words, such as in the surname Sanfelix, which is a compound of "San" (Saint) and "Felix".

In France, the spelling is often given as Félix. Some diminutive versions of the surname also exist like Felicino or Felixin in Italy. The surname can also appear in combination with other words such as in the hybrid surname Gonzalez-Felix which is used in Spanish-speaking countries.

Finally, it is common to see the surname Felix transformed into a first name in many cultures. The meanings and variants related to "luck" and "success" make it an appealing choice.

Famous people with the name Felix

• Allyson Felix: An American track and field sprinter who is a six-time Olympic gold medalist.
• Hugh Felix: An English cricket player.
• Julen Jon Guerrero Felix: An American professional football player.
• Justin Felix: An American football wide receiver.
• Jenny Felix: An eminent British actress and film director.
• Leonardo Felix: A Brazilian footballer.
• Mel Felix: A Trinidadian-born English cricketer.
• Randi Felix: An American baseball player.
• Ray Felix: An American professional basketball player.
• Yohan Felix: A Dominican professional baseball first baseman.
• Zoila Gurgel (née Zoila Frausto Felix): An American former mixed martial artist.
• Felix Felixovich Yusupov: A Russian aristocrat, prince, and count known for participating in the murder of Grigori Rasputin.
• Rynhardt Elstadt (born Rynhardt Francois Elstadt Felix): South African rugby union player.
• Todd Felix: American actor.
• Felix Felixovich Lembersky: A Jewish-Ukrainian-Russian painter.
• Felix Magath (full name: Wolfgang-Felix Magath): A German football manager and former player.
• Felix Mendelssohn (full name: Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy): A German composer, pianist, and conductor.
• Felix Baumgartner: An Austrian skydiver known for his freefall jump from the stratosphere.

Other surnames

Feliciano