The former village of Fulham in Middlesex, now a part of Greater London, boasts a long history dating back to the early Saxon or possibly even Roman times. However, the surname originating from the village is much younger, likely Elizabethan, and quite rare. This is due to it being a locational surname from a place, historically people have taken their surname from the area where they lived, while Fulham was already in the vicinity of London! In the days before mass transportation, it was uncommon to even move a mile to the next village, and early Fulham surname bearers may have acquired their name in the city of London simply by making that short move.
What we do know is that the village of Fulham was mentioned in the famous Anglo-Saxon Chronicles in 880 AD, sometimes referred to as the first newspaper, and was spelled as Fullonham. This could have described the farm of the Fullers, with a Fuller being a textile worker who cleaned the cloth, or it could simply describe a farm owned or operated by a man who clubbed Fulla, as this was an early personal name. The first record we have is that of John Fullam, whose son Thomas was baptized on August 1, 1572, in St. Margarets Westminster. However, in the same church and register on December 23, 1575, we have the record of John Fullham, clearly the same person previously recorded as Fullam. It was unfortunately another baptism for a different Thomas, whose first child had passed away. The first modern spelling of Fulham could be that of William Fulham in St. Dunstan's Stepney on August 14, 1639.
This surname is derived from a geographical locality, specifically 'of Fulham,' a parish in Middlesex. The name Fulham is typically considered to mean 'the Fowl Land or Place,' with 'fowl' deriving from Old English 'fugel' and 'ham' meaning a piece of land. In medieval deeds, the name was Latinized as 'Volucrum Domus.' Despite this interpretation, the spelling 'at Fullenham' in Anglo-Saxon times does not align with this meaning, instead pointing to a personal name Ful(l)a. It is unlikely to relate to Old English 'fúl,' meaning 'foul' or 'dirty.'
According to various sources, Fulham also has ties to a town in Surrey and a village on the Thames in England. The name could have originated from the Saxon 'Fallen' for fowl and 'ham' for house or village, indicating a place known for good living or producing quality poultry.
In conclusion, the surname Fulham carries a rich history and a blend of linguistic influences, making it a fascinating subject for those interested in surname meanings and etymology.
- A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (1896) by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley
- Surnames of the United Kingdom (1912) by Henry Harrison
- Patronymica Britannica (1860) by Mark Antony Lower
- An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857) by William Arthur
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Meaning of Fulham
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