Surname Fife - Meaning and Origin
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read moreFife: What does the surname Fife mean?
The last name Fife is believed to originate from the Scottish lowlands in the historic county of Fife. It is believed to be either a habitational name derived from a place within Fife, or a topographical name referring to a person who lived near a spindle tree (also known as a fife tree).
The surname first appeared in records in the 13th century as Fyf or Fyfe. The name has also been spelled in various other ways throughout history, including Fyfe, Fyfes, Fyf, Fyffe, Fyves, Fif and Fife.
The Fife family was known for their strong military background and participated in the uprising of 1567 in Scotland. They had deep roots in Fife and the surrounding areas, which resulted in a large population. During the medieval period, the Fifes were involved in the linen trade, a cottage industry that flourished in Scotland in the 1700s and 1800s.
The Fifes have had a long and rich history in Scotland, many of them being prominent professionals, such as lawyers and ministers of religion. They have also held public office, engaging in politics and serving in local government. Furthermore, the Fifes have been successful farmers and landowners, owning considerable amounts of land in the 16th and 17th centuries near Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Perth.
Today, the Fife family’s legacy can still be seen in Scotland in the form of various place names, such as Fife Street and Fife Court. The Fife tartan can also be seen throughout Scotland and is worn actively by members of the Fife family.
Order DNA origin analysisFife: Where does the name Fife come from?
The last name Fife is mainly associated with Scotland and parts of Northern England, where the surname originated. In the United Kingdom, it is most commonly found in the regions of Fife, Angus, and Aberdeenshire, particularly in towns such as St Andrews and Cupar. Today, Fife can be found scattered across Europe, particularly in England, Ireland, and Germany. It remains a relatively uncommon name, however, with populations in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany all falling below 5,000.
In the United States, the surname Fife is scattered throughout the country with the largest concentrations in state's such as Texas, Arkansas, Utah, and California. The largest population is in the state of Arkansas, where almost 4,000 Fife families can be found. Other countries where the surname can be found in large numbers include Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.
The surname Fife can be found across a wide geographical area, however, within each country the populations are generally relatively low and the name remains in scarce supply.
Variations of the surname Fife
The surname Fife has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname Fife is Fyfe. Other variants include Fyff, Fyffe, Fyvie, Fifie, Fyv, Feyffe, Fify, Feyf, and Feyfv. These variants stem from the Old English word "fife," which means hills.
The surname Fife can also be found spelled Fyffe in Scotland. This variant is a patronymic name, meaning it originates from the father's first name. In Scotland, Fyffe can also be found spelled with a double F due to a dialectical or geographical influence.
In addition to these variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, Fife can also be found as a given name in Scotland, Ireland, and the United States. In Scotland, Fife is also found as a place name.
The Lessien family of Germany is another possible origin for the surname Fife. The family name comes from the Middle High German “lilse”, which means beautiful and lily-like.
Finally, the surname Fife may also be a variation of the Jewish surname Feivel, which comes from the Yiddish “feivel”, which means little bird.
Overall, the surname Fife has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. This includes Fyfe, Fyffe, Fyvie, Fifie, Fyv, Feyffe, Fify, Feyf, Feyfv, Lessien, Feivel, and more.
Famous people with the name Fife
- Adam Fife: Canadian actor who has had roles in shows such as Hellcats and A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song.
- Anna Fife: Former world-class tennis player and doubles partner of Martina Navratilova.
- Bob Fife: Canadian journalist and political commentator currently serving as the Ottawa Bureau Chief for CTV News.
- Bruce Fife: American naturopathic physician and author who focuses on nutrition and natural health.
- David Fife: Canadian physicist who is renowned for his work on graphene-based materials.
- George Fife: Founding member of the Fife family of Scotland, the Fifes are a prominent ancient family in the Scottish Borders.
- Gordon Fife: American real estate investor and investment banker who founded Laird Norton Company.
- Jack Fife: American actor known for his role in David Mamet's film Heist and in the television show Arrest and Trial.
- James Fife: British doctor and author who wrote the Percy Jackson series of books.
- Marguerite Fife: South African artist and author who wrote the book Freedom Arising and had works exhibited around the world.
- Michael Fife: Canadian radio and television producer who is known for producing shows such as Trailer Park Boys.
- Ryan Fife: Professional golf player from Texas who has competed in several professional events.
- Stephen Fife: American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Boston Red Sox.
- William Fife: Renowned Scottish yacht designer from the 19th century who designed over 200 boats.