Surname Fossitt - Meaning and Origin
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Fossitt: What does the surname Fossitt mean?
The last name Fossitt is most likely of English origin. It is thought to be a variant of the name Forsythe, which is derived from the Old Norse words ‘fors’, meaning ‘rapidly-flowing stream’, and ‘sithr’, meaning ‘clearing’ or ‘meadow’. This suggests that at some point in the distant past, someone in the Fossitt family had a home by a stream or in a meadow.
The name Forsythe had many different spellings since it made its way to England with the Viking migrations in the 9th century. Two of the most prominent spellings of the name were Fossit and Foskett. Both spellings have been recorded since the 15th century, and over time, the two surnames gradually morphed into the single Fossitt.
The Fossitt family first appears in the historical record in Cheshire, a county in the northwest of England. It is believed that the earliest members of the Fossitt family were mainly rural or agrarian dwellers, with a few eventually making moves to the major cities such as London.
The Fossitts have had a long and illustrious history in the United Kingdom. Many Fossitts have made a name for themselves in a variety of fields. The most famous example is Sir Thomas Fossitt, who served as the county Sheriff of Cheshire in the early 16th century. He is remembered for his hard work and dedication in upholding the law and protecting the citizens of Cheshire.
Overall, the last name Fossitt is deeply rooted in English history and heritage. Its original meaning hints at the original connection between the Fossitts and their rural home, and its members have certainly made an impact on different fields around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisFossitt: Where does the name Fossitt come from?
The last name Fossitt is used in many countries around the world today. According to public records, this surname is most frequently found in the United States, where it ranks as the 8,175th most common surname. It is also found in Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand. The surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English given name "Forsythe" combined with a location-based suffix, indicating that the original bearer of the name once held land known as Forsythe's Settlement.
The passenger list of the Mayflower in 1620 contains two bearers of the Fossitt name, Edward and Thomas. Later on, the English-born sons and daughters of the family moved to North America throughout the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, settling down in New England, Pennsylvania, and the former Confederate States of America. Records show that John and Martha (nee Cook) Fossitt moved to New Orleans, Louisiana during the American Revolution.
Today, the last name Fossitt is found concentrated in the southern United States, including the states of Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina. It is also fairly common in the Midwestern states of Illinois and Missouri. There is a small pocket of Fossitts in the northern states of New Hampshire and Wisconsin as well. With its Irish and Scottish roots, the Fossitt name is also found in the United Kingdom in counties such as Lancashire and Kent.
Variations of the surname Fossitt
Fossitt is a surname of English origin. It is an occupational name derived from the Middle English word "fosse" meaning a ditch or moat, and "-it", a diminutive suffix. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are as follows:
Fosett: This spelling is the most common variant of Fossitt found in records from England. It is believed to be a corruption of Fossitt, or a variant spelling due to the multiple ways of spelling the same sound across English regions.
Fosse: This is another Anglicized spelling of Fossitt and is used almost exclusively in England.
Fossey: This spelling is a French variant of the surname and is found in Norman France.
Foskett: This is an English version of the surname, similar to Fosett but with a 'k' instead of a 't' in the suffix.
Fosket: This is a variant spelling of Foskett, found mainly in Scotland and Northern England.
Froskett: This is another alternate spelling of Foskett, found in Scotland and Northern England.
Fosete: This is an Anglo-Saxon spelling of Fossitt, which is rarely found in modern records.
Foseth: This is a variant spelling of Fosset and is found mainly in records from Scotland and Northern England.
Fawcett: This is a variant spelling of Foskett, likely influenced by the popular surname Faučet.
Del Fossitt: This is a combination surname composed of the name Del and the surname Fossitt. It is found mainly in Southern England.
Fossit: This is a spelling variant of Fossitt, found mainly in American records.
Famous people with the name Fossitt
- Mark Fossitt: British ice hockey player
- Eileen Fossitt: Canadian golfer
- Helen Fossitt: Australian senator
- Richard Fossitt: American actor
- Elizabeth Fossitt: English botanist
- Maria Fossitt: Swedish marine biologist
- Robert Fossitt: German economist
- Fiona Fossitt: Irish crime author
- John Fossitt: Scottish artist
- Eric Fossitt: New Zealand engineer