Surname Föhr - Meaning and Origin
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Föhr: What does the surname Föhr mean?
The last name Föhr (or Foehr) is of German origin and is found mainly in the Germany, Sweden, and Denmark regions of Northern Europe. It is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word for "forester," denoting one who owns or works in a forest.
The Föhr surname likely originated with the feudal landowners of the Middle Ages. Those who lived in or managed forests were granted the rights to the land and resources, and were obligated to provide food and resources to their local communities.
The spelling of the name has changed over time. In some older documents, “För” can be seen instead of Föhr, although both spellings have the same meaning.
Since Föhr is a surname derived from "forester," many members of the Föhr family have worked in the forests and wood related industries. This includes lumberjacks, carpenters, woodcutters, and loggers, and today still includes individuals who are involved in environmental sustainability and forestry management.
Other than forestry, the Föhr family has been known to work in agriculture, fishing, and other maritime industries.
Many members of the Föhr family today can still trace their roots back to the forests of Northern Europe. In addition to being a badge of honour to carry the Föhr name, the surname is still a reminder of the importance of sustainable forestry and environmental protection.
Order DNA origin analysisFöhr: Where does the name Föhr come from?
The last name Föhr is a very common family name in northern Germany. It is especially common in the regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower-Saxony, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. It is also found to some extent in Denmark, Belgium, and Netherlands.
The family name is associated with the island of Föhr in the North Frisian Islands, which is located north of the mainland in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. The origin of the name is believed to come from a combination of two old German words: foor (dirt) and hora (footed). This name is known as Föhr in German and Fromore in Danish.
The Föhr surname is found in records going back to the 15th century. It is believed that the family was among the first settlers of the North Frisian Islands. The Föhrs were a family of sailors and fishermen. It is said that they brought the religion of Protestantism to the region.
Today, the Föhr surname is still prevalent throughout northern Germany, as are many other Frisian-based surnames like Wiemann (Vogelmann), Laack (Lackmann), and Wilbers (Wilkening). Although not as common as it once was, anyone with the last name Föhr can trace their ancestry back to this northern German region, touting strong ties to the historic island of Föhr and its people.
Variations of the surname Föhr
The surname Föhr is derived from the Old Norse personal name Forsete, meaning the custodian of Fólkvangar, a mythical hall in Asgard. According to some sources, the original surname Föhr may have been Føre. But there are many variations of the name, stemming from different countries, regions, and languages.
In North America, the variants of Föhr include Fohr, For, Foer, Four, Fours, and Forre. In Ireland and Scotland, variants like Faire, Forer, Forrer, Foyr, and Foyers have been recorded.
In Dutch, Föhr is spelled Föhr or Foer. In German, it can be spelled Föhr, Foer, Foher, Forrer, and Forrester. French records have documented Foire, Forre, Foirer, Fouirer, Forez, and Fouires.
In Norway, variants like Foer, Fure, Furre, and Furh have been recorded while in Denmark, Fohrer, Forrer, and Forr have been noted. In Spain, the spellings Fohrer and Forré have been documented. In Sweden, Foer, Fure, Fur, Furre, and Furh have been recorded, while Furer and Ferske are also variants.
In Italy, the surname Forri has been noted, while in Poland, variants like Feszer and Fojszer have been found. In Hungary, the most common variant of the name is Foire, whereas in Croatia it is Fur.
Apart from the above mentioned spellings and surnames, there are other minor variants found in East Europe and the United Kingdom. Whatever the variant, the root of the surname dates back to Old Norse times.
Famous people with the name Föhr
- Ulrike Föhr, German boxer
- Roland Föhr, Swiss ice hockey player
- Laura Föhr, German entrepreneur
- Artur Föhr, German footballer
- Bern Föhr, German writer
- Rudolf Föhr, German architect
- Monika Föhr, German fashion designer
- Christian Föhr, German documentary filmmaker
- Mark Föhr, German musician
- MSI Föhr, German singer-songwriter