Surname Fosdyck/Fosdick - Meaning and Origin
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Fosdyck/Fosdick: What does the surname Fosdyck/Fosdick mean?
The last name Fosdyck or Fosdick is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a locational surname, meaning it is derived from the geographical location where the original bearers lived or owned lands. Specifically, this name is thought to have originated from the Old English term "foss-dic" which directly translates to "ditch-ditch" or "the ditch by the ditch." The name might have been used to denote a person living by a prominent ditch or trench. Like many other surnames from this era, Fosdyck or Fosdick started being used following the Norman Conquest of 1066, a time when the naming practice grew out of the medieval naming tradition of using location-based names. As families and people migrated, taking the name of their birthplace, occupation, or even a patriarchal figure became an effective way of identification.
Order DNA origin analysisFosdyck/Fosdick: Where does the name Fosdyck/Fosdick come from?
The surname Fosdyck or Fosdick is largely believed to be of English origin and is considered a locational surname, derived from a geographical locality. It is believed to have been derived from the Old English words "foss" for ditch and "dic" for dyke, likely indicating someone who lived near such a structure.
The surname appears to have been first recorded in the 17th century in the county of Lincolnshire, England. Richard Fosdyke, for instance, was registered in "The Register of the University of Oxford" in 1602. Some of the earliest immigrants to the American colonies also bore this last name, including Ralph Fosdick who arrived in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1635.
Today, the surname Fosdyck or Fosdick is most common in the United States, particularly in the northeastern part of the country, but it is relatively rare overall. According to recent census data, less than 4,000 people in the world bear the surname Fosdick, and less than 1,000 bear the surname Fosdyck. This suggests that it is likely not very common anywhere in the world today.
Variations of the surname Fosdyck/Fosdick
The surname Fosdyck, less commonly known as Fosdick, is believed to have originated from either a village named Fosdyke in Lincolnshire, England or possibly a local from the area named "Fosdic". Variations of this surname can include Fosdike, Fosdeck, Fosdicke, Fosdeyke, Fosdike, and Fosdic. It is important to note though, like many surnames, the spelling has likely morphed and changed over centuries as families moved to different regions or countries, and dialects and languages developed. For example, a family moving from England to the United States may have changed the spelling to help with pronunciation in their new home. As with many surnames, individuals throughout history have also often changed or modified the spelling for personal preference or to create a variation distinct to their immediate family. Consequently, you may encounter different but related versions of these spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Fosdyck/Fosdick
- Harry Emerson Fosdick: He was an influential Protestant minister in the United States during the early 20th century. He was pastor of New York City's Riverside Church from 1926 to 1946.
- Raymond B. Fosdick: He was an American lawyer and public administrator who served as Undersecretary General of the League of Nations. He was the younger brother of Harry Emerson Fosdick.
- Doris Fosdick Mackenzie: She was an American criminologist known for her work in corrections and offender rehabilitation. She adopted the name "Fosdick" from her mother's maiden name.
- Lewis Fosdick: He was an American football player who played for Rutgers College in the late 1890s and the University of Pennsylvania in the early 1900s.
- Cliff Fosdick: He was a minor league baseball player in the United States during the 1940s. The Fosdyck variation is much less common, and records do not show any notable individuals with this last name.