Fogwill
One-Name Study

Topics

• About the Fogwill One-Name Study
• Variants
• Origin of the surname
• Frequency of the name
• Distribution of the name
• Data
• Contact Details

About the Fogwill One-Name Study

As with many one-name studies, this grew out of my personal family history research. After many years of hoping someone would undertake a one-name study, it seemed it was up to me! We are a very small family originating in Devonshire.

Variants

I am researching four variants; Fogwill, Fogwell, Vogwill and Vogwell. Numerous spelling deviations (Foguille, Foggwell, Fagwill, Vogwall, Voggwell) appear in vital records and census documents but they do not appear to be true variants. The surnames Fogwill, Fogwell, Vogwill and Vogwell have endured from the late 1500s to the present.

Origin of the surname

The surname is derived from a geographic descriptor. Gower (Place Names of Devon) indicates Vogwell has a meaning of “Hill with fog-pasture”. Fog is an Old English word for coarse reeds (from Focga). In Devon the interchange of the initial “F” and “V” sound was widespread. A Saxon document in Exeter Cathedral Library refers to Voghill Lake near Manaton. As time passed, the name changed to Vogwell Lake with nearby Vogwell Down and Vogwell Farm.

Frequency of the name

In the 1881 census of England there are 226 people with the four variant surnames; 70 Fogwill, 96 Fogwell, 37 Vogwill and 23 Vogwell, comprised of 16 families and 12 single individuals. In the 1841 census there were 202 Fogwills (or variants), while in the 1911 census there were 294 individuals. The 1901 census was the high water mark; there were 341 Fogwills, Fogwells, Vogwills or Vogwells.

Distribution of the name

In the 1841 census 77% of the Fogwills & variants are in Devon. By 1881 there is considerable dispersion across 11 counties but more than 55% are in Devon with a significant population in Hampshire and Northumbeland. Not surprisingly dispersion is more extensive by 1911 but 45% of the Fogwill population remain in Devon. There are significant populations of Fogwills (and variants) in Canada (over 150), Argentina (over 50) as well as Australia, South Africa and the USA.

Data

All of the Fogwill entries in the England/Wales censuses (1841 – 1911) have been recorded. I have a small but growing collection of wills, grants of probate and divorces. I have a growing collection of vital statistics from civil and parish registration. Your contributions are welcome. I have a 1960s document on the history and origins of the Fogwill family written by a dedicated researcher Mr. Richard Cyril Fogwill (deceased). I have 8 family histories/pedigrees sent to me by various Fogwill researchers.

Contact details

For further information, contact:

Ms Lynn Fogwill
11652-103 Avenue NW,
Edmonton,
Alberta
T5K 0S6
Canada
E-mail:

This page last updated 13 January 2012.

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Profiles of other one-name studies registered with the Guild may be found here.