Surname Fallows - Meaning and Origin

Fallows: What does the surname Fallows mean?

The surname Fallows is of English and Scottish origin. The name was derived from two words, "fallow" and "shallow". The term "fallow" was typically associated with a piece of land that was left unseeded or fallow for a period of time in order to restore its fertility. This agricultural practice was carried out by medieval farmers and hence gave birth to the name "Fallow" and its various derivatives.

The term "shallow" was used to refer to water so shallow that it was easily crossed by wading. It is believed that people who were named Fallows were once those who lived near a shallow ford or a shallow river crossing.

In addition to its agricultural origins, the surname Fallows can also be traced back to the Latin word "fallo", meaning "to deceive". This could refer to a trickster or a liar, or to someone who is particularly cunning.

Throughout its history, the surname Fallows and its various derivatives have been associated with strength, endurance, and resourcefulness. These qualities have been linked to the families who have carried the Fallows name for centuries, and they still live on today.

Fallows: Where does the name Fallows come from?

The surname Fallows is most commonly found in the English-speaking world. It is especially popular in the United Kingdom, particularly in England. The name's origin is early medieval, likely deriving from an Old English word meaning to delay, or set aside.

Fallows is found throughout England, but is particularly common in the West Midlands region, which includes Staffordshire,Shropshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Herefordshire, as well as parts of Cheshire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire. It is also common in the nearby counties of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.

Elsewhere in the British Isles, Fallows is also found in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. In Scotland, it is especially common in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, and the Borders.

Outside the British Isles, Fallows is uncommon. It is found in Australia, Canada, the United States, and New Zealand, where people of British descent settled during the 19th and 20th centuries. In these countries, the name is mainly concentrated in parts of the former British Empire, but it can be found elsewhere as well.

Overall, Fallows is a common surname in the English-speaking world, with the highest concentrations in England, Scotland, and the former British colonies.

Variations of the surname Fallows

The surname Fallows can be spelled in various different ways, including Fallows, Fallose, Follis, Fallise, Follose, Fallass, Fallace, Falles, Fallas, Follas, and Follase. Though these spellings can appear to be vastly different from one another, they all ultimately trace their origins to a common root word.

The surname Fallows comes from the Old English word "felaȝ," which means a formerly uncultivated area that had been reclaimed and divided for agricultural use. This area would usually be fenced off or marked by some other physical boundary including rock or a ditch. The family name itself likely derived from someone who lived near the reclaimed area or who was engaged in reclaiming or cultivating it.

In the days before standardized spelling rules, the same word might appear under many different spellings; thus, all of the variants of Fallows can be traced back to a single source. Variants may have also come about through the migration of a family across borders, causing the surname to be spelled differently due to the language of the place to which the family had moved.

It is possible that some of the variants are no longer used today; however, Fallows remains one of the most frequently spotted variants of the family name. Variants of the surname are still found throughout Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, and Canada, amongst other locations

Famous people with the name Fallows

• Chase Fallows: Canadian Olympic javelin thrower
• Jim Fallows: American journalist
• Catrin Fallows: Welsh actress
• Davy Fallows: American actor
• Nancy Fallows: British children's author
• Sam Fallows: British poet
• Matthew Fallows: English classical pianist
• Margot Fallows: South African broadcast presenter
• Jed Fallows: Canadian football player
• Renee Fallows: Australian Paralympic swimmer
• Grant Fallows: British mix engineer and music producer
• Lola Fallows: British contemporary artist
• Joe Fallows: British composer
• Terence Fallows: English singer and songwriter
• Lewis Fallows: Scottish orchestral musician
• Jem Fallows: British fashion designer
• Ian Fallows: American singer and songwriter
• Aled Fallows: Welsh footballer
• Mark Fallows: British celebrity hairdresser
• Kimberley Fallows: American interior designer

Other surnames

Fallon