Fenn
A surname for someone who lived by a fen, marsh, or bog.
The #6,548 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 59,696 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Fenn comes from Old English fenn, meaning a fen, marsh, or bog. It is an English topographic surname, originally given to someone who lived near such wet ground. Historical records show early forms such as Atte Fenne, De Fen, and De Fenne, all pointing to residence by a fen.
History
The surname is well established in medieval English records, especially in southern and eastern England. Later spellings and related forms include Venn, Fenner, and Fennell, reflecting regional pronunciation and scribal variation. Lower also notes a place-based line of descent from Fenn Place in Sussex.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In some records, the same family could appear as both Venn and Fenn because local pronunciation shifted the initial sound.
From the historical record
“memoration of some remarkable exploit. FENN. A-Sax. feim, a marsh or bog. From residence near one. In old docu- ments the forms are Atte Fenne, Del Fen, De Fen, De Fenne, &c., sometimes modified to Fenner, FENNELL. See Veunell. FENNER. Fenn Place in the parish of Worth, CO. Sussex, had owners for several…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom