Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Fenimore

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Fenimore?

The surname Fenimore is of English origin, and it is derived from the Old Norse personal name Finnr, which means "fair" or "peaceful." The name was likely brought to England by Scandinavian settlers during the Viking invasions. Over time, the name evolved into its current spelling in English-speaking countries. It is worth noting that there are also variations of this name, such as Fenemore and Finemore, which may have slightly different origins or be regional variants.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Fenimore

The meaning and origin of the last name Fenimore

The surname Fenimore is an Anglo-Saxon name with Old English roots. It is derived from "fen" which means marsh or bog, and "mere" or "mor" meaning lake or sea. This suggests that the original bearer either lived near a marshy area beside a body of water. The name Fenimore is less common in modern times compared to its earlier usage, but it still represents a connection to England's Anglo-Saxon past for those who carry it as a family name.

Geographical distribution of the last name Fenimore

The surname Fenimore is predominantly found in North America, with a significant concentration in the United States. According to data from FamilyEducation.com, it is most common in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. This may be due to the name's potential origin from the Fenimore Asylum for Idiots in Utica, New York, which was established in 1843. The asylum's founder, Dr. Elisha Fenimore, is believed to have been responsible for the widespread dissemination of the surname. While there are also a few instances of the name Fenimore in Canada and England, it is less frequent compared to its distribution in the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Fenimore

The surname Fenimore has various spellings and variations, which may originate from different regions or time periods. Some common spelling variations include Fenimer, Fenimor, Fenymore, and Fenemer. These variations might be due to differences in transcription, transliteration, or regional dialects over time. The name is of English origin and is derived from the Old French word "fenestre" meaning "window," likely indicating a person who lived by or near a window or a structure with a notable window. Another possibility is that it comes from an Anglo-Saxon personal name, "Finngeorma," which translates to "peacock-warrior."

Famous people with the last name Fenimore

Notable individuals sharing the surname Fenimore include:

1. James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851), an American novelist best known for his historical novels of frontier life, including "The Last of the Mohicans."
2. Rosemary Fenwick Fenimore (1890-1973), an American painter and illustrator, who was a member of The Ten, a group of American artists in the early 20th century.
3. Edith Wharton (1864-1937), born Edith Newbold Jones, was an American novelist, short story writer, and designer. Although not a Fenimore by birth, she married Tedworth Talbot Jencks Fenimore in 1885 and used the name Fenimore as her pen name for a period of time.
4. Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806-1867), an American poet, essayist, and newspaper editor, whose first wife was Sarah Ann Fenimore (1812-1839). After her death, he married Anna Catherine Greenleaf Fenimore, the sister of Sarah.
5. David H. Fenimore (1943-), an American businessman and politician who served as the Governor of Delaware from 1977 to 1985. He is a direct descendant of James Fenimore Cooper through his mother's lineage.

Genealogical research on the last name Fenimore

The Fenimore surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English 'fen' meaning marsh and 'ig' or 'mere,' a lake. This indicates that early bearers of this name resided near such water bodies.

One prominent figure with the last name Fenimore is James Fenimore Cooper, an American author best known for his novel The Last of the Mohicans, published in 1826. He was a key figure in American romantic literature and contributed significantly to the development of early American identity.

The Fenimore family is also associated with Fenimore Art Museum located in Cooperstown, New York, which was established by George Fenimore Cooper, James Fenimore Cooper's son, in 1943. The museum houses an extensive collection of American art and has become a significant cultural institution.

Additionally, other notable individuals with the surname Fenimore include Thomas Fenimore, a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and Emily Fenimore, a renowned artist known for her watercolor landscapes. Overall, the Fenimore name is associated with literary, artistic, and political achievements in American history.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Fenani

Last name • surnames > fenani

The last name "Fenani" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name "Fenano", which is of unknown etymology. It is believed to be of local Italian origin, deriving fr...

#2 Fenaroli

Last name • surnames > fenaroli

The last name Fenaroli is of Italian origin. It is believed to be a surname derived from a place name, possibly from a location in Italy. The specific meaning or history of the sur...

#3 Fende

Last name • surnames > fende

The last name "Fende" has Spanish origins and is derived from the word "fender," which means to defend or protect. It is believed to have originated from a nickname for someone who...

#4 Fendler

Last name • surnames > fendler

The surname Fendler is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "von dem Felde," meaning "from the field." In medieval times, many occupational names were d...

#5 Fendoung

Last name • surnames > fendoung

The last name Fendoung is of Chinese origin. It is likely derived from a Chinese character or combination of characters that have a specific meaning or significance.

#6 Fenech

Last name • surnames > fenech

The surname Fenech is of Maltese origin. It derives from the Maltese word "fenek," which means "rabbit." Like many Maltese surnames, Fenech was originally a nickname, given to some...

#7 Feneis

Last name • surnames > feneis

The surname Feneis is of German origin and it is derived from a geographical or topographical name for someone who lived near a fens, a marshy area. The name originated from Middle...

#8 Fenelus

Last name • surnames > fenelus

The surname Fenelus is of French origin. It is derived from a given name, Felice (Félicien in French), which comes from the Latin word "felix," meaning happy or fortunate. This na...

#9 Feni lestari

Last name • surnames > feni-lestari

The last name "Feni Lestari" originates from Indonesia. It is a common Indonesian name, with the first part "Feni" likely derived from a personal or familial name, and the second p...

#10 Fenianos

Last name • surnames > fenianos

The surname "Fenianos" is of Arab origin, more precisely Lebanese. It is probably derived from the Arabic word "Fayni", which means "beautiful" or "charming". This surname is commo...

#11 Fenil

Last name • surnames > fenil

The last name "Fenil" is of Indian origin. It is a surname commonly found in the Gujarati community of India.

#12 Feniroju

Last name • surnames > feniroju

The last name "Feniroju" appears to be of Indian origin. It is likely derived from a combination of various Indian language elements, but its specific meaning and origin are not re...

#13 Fenis

Last name • surnames > fenis

The origin and meaning of the last name "Fenis" could not be found, as it does not appear to have a widely known or documented origin. It is possible that it is a rare or unique su...

#14 Fenjan

Last name • surnames > fenjan

The surname "Fenjan" is of Arabic origin. It likely originates from the Arabic word "fenjan," which means "cup" or "teacup." This surname may have originally been given to someone ...

#15 Fenkar

Last name • surnames > fenkar

The surname Fenkar is believed to have origins in Scandinavia, particularly Norway and Sweden. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Fenkarr," which means "fennec fox" or...