Surname Ferniough - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Ferniough: What does the surname Ferniough mean?
The last name Ferniough is of Spanish origin and is derived from two different roots. The first root is from the Old Spanish word “fernio”, which is thought to mean “fern” or “contain”. The second root is from the Basque word “irigoiti”, which means “water”. Combined, they come to mean “one who collects ferns by water”.
There are several branches of the Ferniough family, with the most common being those from the Cádiz region in Spain. These branches of the family were fishermen, mostly from the small coastal town of Puerto de Santa María, and were independent land owners.
Over time, the family began to spread from the Cádiz region to different areas of Spain, including Granada, Asturias, and Barcelona. As the family branched out, they kept their last name and their roots alive through their many generations.
Today, the Ferniough name can be found around the world. The name can be found in places like The United States, Australia, and Canada. No matter where in the world you find a Ferniough, the name still carries a hint of its roots and an integral part of the Spanish nation.
Order DNA origin analysisFerniough: Where does the name Ferniough come from?
The last name Ferniough is most prominently found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. It is found in the greatest concentrations in the UK and Ireland, where it is believed to have originated.
In the UK, the name can be found in Greater London, West Midlands, the Isle of Wight and Devon. In Ireland, it is most widely found in counties Galway, Clare and Cork.
In Canada, the name is spread throughout the provinces, though clusters have been found in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.
In the US, the name is found mainly on the east coast in the states of New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Pennsylvania. It can also found in Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Virginia, and Georgia.
In Australia, it is mainly found in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
Regardless of the location, people with the last name Ferniough can trace their roots back to the original settlers from the British Isles. The name has evolved over time and been adapted to local cultures and traditions.
Variations of the surname Ferniough
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Ferniough all stem from the same original surname. Ferniough is derived from the Old English elements "Fera", meaning warrior, and "Ou", meaning steep slope.
Variants of the surname Ferniough include Ferenog, Fernagy, Fernogy, Fernau, Fernig, Fernigoe, and Fernoge. Alternate spellings of the surname include Ferenough, Ferenay, Fearney, Fernighey, Ferenage and Fernaughe.
Surnames of the same origin as Ferniough include Fernie, Feorny, Fearnie, Fiaran, Fierin, Ferrie, Fireman, and Firman. Variant versions of these surnames include Ferney, Fernay, Fearney, Ferrnaghey, Firany, Feornay, Fearnage, and Fernaugh.
The original spelling of the surname, Ferniough, has evolved due to the process of Anglicisation of Irish names during the time of British settlement in Ireland in the 17th century. This process saw many Irish names that were originally Gaelic becoming Anglicised and taking on more English phonetic spellings.
Given the range of spellings and surnames of the same origin as Ferniough, genealogists should exercise extreme caution when researching the name. It is also important to remember that, even among closely related surname variants, names may still be different due to migration to other countries or adoption of other spellings of the same surname.
Famous people with the name Ferniough
- Jody Ferneyhough: a British contemporary classical composer.
- Peter Ferneyhough: a British actor, writer, director, and radio correspondent.
- Steve Ferneyhough: a British commercial and documentary film director and producer.
- Tom Ferneyhough: a British track and field athlete, competing mainly in the 800 meters.
- Mary Beth Ferneyhough: a former professional volleyball player.
- Claudine Ferneyhough: an American film producer and actress.
- Lyndon Fernihough: a British screenwriter, director, and producer.
- Frank Ferneyhough: a former professional soccer player.
- Richard Ferneyhough: a former English rugby union player.
- Tony Ferneyhough: a former professional cricketer.