Surname Fox - Meaning and Origin

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Fox: What does the surname Fox mean?

The last name Fox is derived from the Old English term 'fox,' which was used to denote a fox. It's a surname of Anglo-Saxon origin and, in essence, was a name for a person who was clever or crafty, similar to the perceived characteristics of a fox. Another possible origin lies in its usage as a nickname given to people with red hair, drawing a metaphorical comparison to the animal's red fur.

The use of wild animal names as surnames was common in the Middle Ages, often symbolizing the notable personality traits associated with these animals.

Today, Fox is a fairly common surname in England, Ireland, and Scotland. It's important to note that family names have been modified over centuries, and its variations include Foxe, Foxman, and Foxen.

Notable people with the surname include actors Michael J. Fox and Megan Fox, as well as British politician Liam Fox.

Fox: Where does the name Fox come from?

The surname Fox is of English and Irish origin and largely originates from a nickname often given to someone who is cunning or crafty, or perhaps even someone who bore a physical resemblance to a fox. The Old English word “fox” is derived from an ancient Germanic word “fuchs.” Irish Foxes, hailing primarily from County Limerick, are known as "Sionnach" in Irish Gaelic which also translates to "fox."

Today you can find the surname Fox most commonly in English-speaking countries like the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. There is also a significant presence in Ireland due to Anglicization of the Gaelic surname. The surname is distributed fairly evenly across the United States but is most common in Pennsylvania and New York. In England, it is most prevalent in the northern counties of Yorkshire and Lancashire. According to Forebears, a genealogical data website, the Fox surname ranks as the 165th most common surname in the world, and the majority of individuals with this surname still reside in the United States.

Variations of the surname Fox

The surname Fox traditionally belongs to the Anglicised and Germanic group of surnames. It was primarily used as a nickname for a cunning individual, derived from the Middle English "fox."

Alternative spellings and variations of Fox can include: Foxx, Foxe, Foix, Foxen, Box, Fuchs (German variant), Vos (Dutch variant), and Volpe (Italian variant). There might also be patronymic versions of Fox such as Foxson or Foxman.

In some cases, the surname might have been assumed by someone who lives near a place that had the word 'fox' in it, leading to variations based on those geographic locales. These could include regional or dialectic variants across different regions in the UK and other English-speaking countries.

Like many surnames, Fox can also appear as a compound surname, combined with other names, for example: Fox-Smith, Fox-Taylor, or Fox-Hunt, etc. In some regions, especially in Ireland, the surname Fox could also be an Anglicisation of the Gaelic surname 'Sionnach' or ‘Mac a'tSionnaich’ which means ‘son of the fox.’

Please note that a direct link between all variations can be complex due to factors like immigration, translation, and different phonetic interpretations.

Famous people with the name Fox

• Michael J. Fox: Actor famously known for his roles in Back to the Future, Family Ties, Spin City and other films and television shows.
• Samantha Fox: British singer/songwriter and glamour model from the 1980s and 1990s.
• Hope Fox: Scientist and former director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory who was the center of the 2019 US privacy scandal.
• Vivica A. Fox: Actress and producer known for her roles in Independence Day, Kill Bill, Booty Call and many other films.
• Megan Fox: actress and model from the 2000s and best known for her role in Transformers.
• Marvin Fox: philosopher and political theorist known for his works in liberal and conservative causes.
• Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers: professionally known as Brie Larson, this American actress and singer is best known for her roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Mario Fox: founder and CEO of Fox Opportunity Fund, venture capital firm focusing on early-stage technology companies.
• Emilia Fox: English actress known for her roles in Silent Witness, The Pianist, The Whistleblower and other films and television shows.
• Terry Fox: Canadian athlete and cancer research activist known for his Marathon of Hope in 1980 to raise awareness of cancer.

Other surnames

FoxcoteFoxius