Fenech
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Blason_de_la_famille_Fenech_malte.svg/220px-Blason_de_la_famille_Fenech_malte.svg.png)
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 is a descendant of the Siculo-Arabic dialect. 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
- David Fenech (born 1969), French musician
- Eddie Fenech Adami (born 1934), Prime Minister of Malta
- Edwige Fenech (born 1948), Maltese-Italian actress and producer
- Francis Fenech (1892–1969), Maltese prelate who became a bishop in India
- Georges Fenech (born 1954), French politician
- Jeff Fenech (born 1964), Maltese-Australian boxer
- Mario Fenech (born 1961), Maltese-Australian rugby 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
- Yorgen Fenech (born 1981), Maltese businessman
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.