Fenech: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Blason de la famille Fenech malte.svg|thumb|Coat of arms of the Fenech family]] |
[[File:Blason de la famille Fenech malte.svg|thumb|Coat of arms of the Fenech family]] |
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There are various interpretations of the origins of the surname '''Fenech'''. The most notable is the meaning of "rabbit", since ''fenek'' is rabbit in [[Maltese language|Maltese]]. This in turn comes from the [[Arabic]] word for fox, [[فَنَك]] ([[fenek]], {{transl|ara|italic=no|fanak}}, “[[fennec fox]]”) which like the rabbit has large ears as its distinguishing feature and may have been confused during the development of the Maltese language which borrows heavily from Semitic languages. The word is also thought to be a respelling of Fenich, the [[German language|German]] for [[millet]] farmer.<ref>[[Patrick Hanks]], American Family Name Origins. Dictionary of American Family Names. 2006</ref> |
There are various interpretations of the origins of the surname '''Fenech'''. The most notable is the meaning of "rabbit", since ''fenek'' is rabbit in [[Maltese language|Maltese]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HbShCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT92|title=Sicily and the Mediterranean: Migration, Exchange, Reinvention|last=Karagoz|first=Claudia|last2=Summerfield|first2=Giovanna|date=2015-08-12|publisher=Springer|isbn=9781137486936|language=en}}</ref> This in turn comes from the [[Arabic]] word for fox, [[فَنَك]] ([[fenek]], {{transl|ara|italic=no|fanak}}, “[[fennec fox]]”) which like the rabbit has large ears as its distinguishing feature and may have been confused during the development of the Maltese language which borrows heavily from Semitic languages. The word is also thought to be a respelling of Fenich, the [[German language|German]] for [[millet]] farmer.<ref>[[Patrick Hanks]], American Family Name Origins. Dictionary of American Family Names. 2006</ref> A possible [[Persian language|Iranian]] derivation of the word has also been suggested.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eO8NAAAAYAAJ&q=fenech+persian|title=Maltese Linguistic Surveys|last=Aquilina|first=Ġużè|date=1976|publisher=University of Malta|year=|isbn=|location=|pages=193|language=en}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 21:30, 4 September 2019
There are various interpretations of the origins of the surname Fenech. The most notable is the meaning of "rabbit", since fenek is rabbit in Maltese.[1] This in turn comes from the Arabic word for fox, فَنَك (fenek, [fanak] Error: {{Transliteration}}: unrecognized language / script code: ara (help), “fennec fox”) which like the rabbit has large ears as its distinguishing feature and may have been confused during the development of the Maltese language which borrows heavily from Semitic languages. The word is also thought to be a respelling of Fenich, the German for millet farmer.[2] A possible Iranian derivation of the word has also been suggested.[3]
"Phoenician" variation
Another variation is formed from the word Phoenicians. In fact, some bearers of this surname use the horse, a Phoenician symbol, on their crest rather than the rabbit.
"Fenwick" variation
Another variation is an Anglo-Saxon one where it is derived from a family living in Fenwick, which was in Northumberland and the West Riding of Yorkshire. This name was originally derived from the English fenn which means marsh and wic, which means a farm. The surname Fenwick is still widely found in northern England and has spread through most English-speaking countries.
Notable people
- Carmen Fenech (born 1993), Maltese-Canadian hip-hop artist
- David Fenech (born 1969), French musician
- Edwige Fenech (born 1948), Maltese-Italian actress and producer
- Francis Xavier Fenech (1892–1969), Maltese prelate who became bishop in India
- Georges Fenech (born 1954), French politician
- Jeff Fenech (born 1964), Maltese-Australian boxer
- Mario Fenech (born 1961), Maltese-Australian rugby league player
- Martha Fenech (born 1990), Maltese beauty queen
- Paul Fenech (born 1972), Maltese-Australian comedian
- Paul Fenech (footballer) (born 1986), Maltese footballer
- Ryan Fenech (born 1986), Maltese footballer
- Tonio Fenech (born 1969), Finance Minister of Malta
- Eddie Fenech Adami (born 1934), Prime Minister of Malta
Other
- Fenech-Soler, English electropop band
See also
References
- ^ Karagoz, Claudia; Summerfield, Giovanna (2015-08-12). Sicily and the Mediterranean: Migration, Exchange, Reinvention. Springer. ISBN 9781137486936.
- ^ Patrick Hanks, American Family Name Origins. Dictionary of American Family Names. 2006
- ^ Aquilina, Ġużè (1976). Maltese Linguistic Surveys. University of Malta. p. 193.
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