Surname Fylbrigg - Meaning and Origin
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Fylbrigg: What does the surname Fylbrigg mean?
The surname Fylbrigg is derived from a combination of two Old English words: "fyle," which means 'furrow' or 'ridge'; and "breg," which means 'hill.' The meaning of the Fylbrigg surname, then, is 'a furrow on a hill.' It is thought that this surname originated as a topographical feature, with people taking on Fylbrigg as a surname after having encountered the feature or lived in the area.
As time passed, Fylbrigg became an established surname throughout Europe. Variations of the name have been seen in countries such as England, Scotland, and the Netherlands.
In some cases, Fylbrigg is also associated with the Fylbrigg family, who trace their lineage back to an 11th century knight, Sir Robert de Fylebregge, who was given the Manor of Fylbrigg in the English county of Norfolk. Those who are part of the Fylbrigg clan are also sometimes referred to as Fylbriggans.
Today, those with the Fylbrigg surname are scattered throughout the world, with many bearing the name in the United States, Canada, Australia, and many other countries.
In any case, Fylbrigg is a unique and interesting surname that harkens back to a time of hilltops and furrows, of manors and knights, and of intriguing family history.
Order DNA origin analysisFylbrigg: Where does the name Fylbrigg come from?
The last name Fylbrigg is commonly found in certain parts of England. It is particularly concentrated in the East Midlands, around Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire. There are also some occurrences in the North of England and Scotland.
Often a name is a sign of where a family originated from long ago and Fylbrigg is no exception. The name originated in the early 15th century, around the time of the English Civil War. It is thought that the name comes from a nickname for someone from an old English settlement called "Feelbrigue", which itself is derived from two old English words meaning “a safe settlement”.
Interestingly, there are a few variations of the spelling of Fylbrigg, including Fylbrygg, Fylbrugge and Fullbrigge. The most common of these today is the original Fylbrigg variant, so much so that it is often seen in local place names, such as Fylbrigg Hall in Nottinghamshire or Fylbrige Lane in Leicestershire.
The name Fylbrigg is certainly not as rare as it was a few centuries ago. That said, it is still relatively uncommon compared to other more widely used surnames. Today, Fylbrigg is most commonly seen in England, but with the last name’s stays connections to the area it is likely to remain there for centuries to come.
Variations of the surname Fylbrigg
Fylbrigg is a surname derived from Old English and English origins. It likely began as a nickname taken from a place name that combined the words fyrn, meaning ‘fern’ or ‘moor’, and bricg, meaning ‘bridge’ or ‘ford’. The surname has been commonly found in England since the 12th century.
Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Fylbrigg, Filebrigg, Felbrigge, Felbrigg, Filbrigg, Filbrugg, Fylebridge, Felbrygge, Filbridg, Fylbrygg, Fillbrigg, Fylbridge, and Fylbigge.
When the surname Fylbrigg was adopted in other countries, it was translated and its spelling altered. In France, it became Fillbrick, Filderbrick, and Fillebrick. In Germany, it was spelled Feilbruck and Fielebrück. In Switzerland, it was translated as Felbruch.
Fylbrigg may also be a variant of a Norman-derived surname, a surname derived from the French word felbreg. This surname was first borne by one Hugh de Felbregge, who was recorded in the 12th century in Britain. Variants of this surname include Felbrick, Felbridge, and Felbregge.
The surname Fylbrigg is still found in England and the United States, though its frequency has decreased in recent years. Currently, it is thought to be held by fewer than 1500 people, mostly in Great Britain and the United States.
Famous people with the name Fylbrigg
- Sir William Fylbrigge (1346: 1420) was a prominent English landowner and politician from Norfolk. He was a Member of Parliament for Norwich in Edward III’s reign.
- William Fylbrigge (1480: 1520) was an English landowner from the same family as Sir William Fylbrigge. He was a tenant in chief in the Domesday Book for the manors of Horsford and Markethill.
- Thomas Fylbrigge (1490: 1536) was also an English landowner in Norfolk, who was the son of the first William Fylbrigge.
- John Fylbrigge (1512: 1590) was a member of a younger branch of the Fylbrigg family living in Northamptonshire. He was a prominent lawyer and served as MP for Northampton in 1571.
- Anthony Fylbrigge (1568: 1622) was part of the Suffolk branch of the Fylbrigg family. He served as a JP for the county and was the father of Sir William Fylbrigge, who was knighted by James I after his performance in the service of the crown.
- William Fylbrigge, 1st Baronet (1618: 1681) was the son of Anthony Fylbrigge. He was knighted in 1660 and raised to the Baronetcy of Fylbrigg in 1666.
- Sir Simon Fylbrigge (1714: 1780) was the third Baronet of Fylbrigg and the MP for Northamptonshire from 1754 to 1780.
- Sir George Fylbrigge (1781: 1853) was the fourth Baron of Fylbrigg and a prominant agriculturalist in the county of Northamptonshire.
- Sir Charles Fylbrigge (1813: 1889) was the fifth Baronet of Fylbrigg. He was the High Sheriff of Lancashire and a Chairman of Quarter Sessions of the county.
- James Fylbrigge (1838: 1918) was an English musician and composer. He was the son of the fifth Baronet and was known for his compositions for choirs.