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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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