Surname Foss - Meaning and Origin
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Starting with anticipation, going through moments of awe, and ending with profound insight, the journey with iGENEA DNA testing was filled with intense emotions. The test, transforming a mere surname into a symbol of family heritage, heightened the understanding of lineage and the importance of family name, especially the surname Foss.
D. Foss
read moreFoss: What does the surname Foss mean?
The last name Foss is of early medieval English origin. It derives from a nickname, derived from the Old English foss meaning "waterfall", and was probably originally applied to someone who lived near a waterfall. This name was also used as a topographic name for someone who lived by a stream or waterway, or a habitation name for someone who lived at or near a waterfall.
The surname Foss is found mainly in the midlands and southern counties of England, including Kent, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Shropshire. It is also found in the United States, Germany, and Canada.
People with this surname have achieved notable success throughout history, such as well-known physicist Henry DeWolf (Foss) and actress Helen Westley (Foss).
The Foss surname is thought to be related to the words "force" and "fountain". This could imply that those who settled near water features were often seen as a source of strength or sustenance—a notion that was likely celebrated in the Middle Ages. While the name itself may be ancient, the legacy attached to it is still vibrant in modern day.
Order DNA origin analysisFoss: Where does the name Foss come from?
The last name Foss is is most common in Norway, where it first originated. In America, Foss is more commonly found in states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota which have a large Scandinavian population.
Foss is a patronymic name derived from the Old Norse given name Fótr, meaning "foot." It was not uncommon for ancient Scandinavians to use descriptive references when naming their offspring. As a result, the Foss surname is found in various spellings such as Fos, Foose, Fosse, Fosser, and Fose depending on what language of the country it was introduced.
In Norway, Foss is the 54th most common name according to the national statistics bureau. Within the United States, the last name ranks 8,195th most common while it registers as the 1,320th most common surname in England.
Many individuals of the Foss family name have contributed to various aspects of society, from business to politics. Notable people associated with the name include business magnates such as Harold Foss, who once presided over the Pennsylvania Railroad organization. Foss is also a popular last name in sports, with multiple athletes such as Sydney Foss (former Australian nordic skier) and NFL linebacker Jeff Foss.
Overall, Foss is more frequently seen in countries that have a history of Scandinavian immigration such as the United States, Norway, and England. Although rare, the last name is slowly becoming more popular around the world due to the spread of immigration from European regions.
Variations of the surname Foss
The surname Foss is derived from the Old Norse word "fos", which means a small waterway or stream. Variations of Foss, as well as alternate spellings and surnames of similar origin, include Foues, Faus, Fauce, Fause, Faux, Fauche, Faucher, Fausse, Fausseur, Fauz, Fauss, Fausser, Fauze, Fawse, Fawsser, Fawzes, Fausz, and Fawce.
Foss is one of the many toponymic surnames, which is a surname derived from the name of a place. It is believed to have first originated in Normandy, France, and may have been a reference to a place by the stream or waterway.
Variants of Foss are often found in many countries, including Germany, England, Scotland, and Ireland. The spelling of the name may also vary according to the country and the language in which it is spelled.
In Germany, the surname appears as Foues, Faus, Fause, Fauce, and Fauz.
In England, the alternate spellings of Foss are Faux, Fauche, Faucher, Fausse, and Fausseur.
In Scotland, other variations include Fawse, Fawsser, and Fawzes.
In Ireland, the surname takes on the spellings of Fausz and Fawce.
Overall, the variations of the surname Foss demonstrate how the surname has evolved over time in different countries and languages. Its origin in a place by the water has made it particularly popular in many countries, particularly those on the coast where fishing and water activities are common.
Famous people with the name Foss
- Anja Foss: A Norwegian alpine skier who represented Norway in the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 2003
- Emily Foss: A English cricketer who has represented England, Wales and Sussex at the international level
- Sylve Foss: A Norwegian alpine skier who represented Norway in the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships in 1985
- Halvor Foss: A Norwegian visual artist and photographer
- Jan Foss: A Norwegian architect who designed several buildings in Norway
- Eivind Foss: A Norwegian jazz pianist
- Olav Foss: A Norwegian ice hockey player who represented Norway in the Winter Olympic Games of 1976 and 1980
- Emma Foss: An English actress and singer
- Tina Foss: An American singer and songwriter
- Hannah Foss: An American actress and television presenter