Fowlkes
An English surname likely built from the medieval personal name Fulk, meaning “people” or “folk.”
The #7,135 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 65,887 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Fowlkes is best understood as a surname formed from the medieval given name Fulk, introduced into England through Old French. That personal name goes back to a Germanic element meaning “people” or “folk.” The -s ending often marks “son of” or “descendant of,” so the surname likely meant “Fulk’s child” or “family.”
History
The name Fulk was common in medieval England and was borne by several notable nobles and churchmen, which helped it persist as a surname base. Spellings varied widely in records, and Fowlkes is one of several later forms that developed from the same source-name, alongside variants like Foulkes and Foulks. In the United States, the surname is especially found in the South, reflecting English colonial-era settlement patterns.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The root behind Fowlkes is the same one that lies behind the given name Fulk, a name popular in medieval Europe.