UK surname
An English surname derived from the Middle English word "fogge" meaning meadow grass or long marsh grass.
In the 1881 census there were 39 people recorded with the Foggs surname, ranking it #28,137 among surnames in the records. By 2014, the modern count was 1, ranked #39,020, down from #28,137 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Crathie and Braemar, London parishes and Newcastle All Saints. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Foggs is 111 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 97.4%.
1881 census count
39
Ranked #28,137
Modern count
1
2014, ranked #39,020
Peak year
1901
111 bearers
Map years
1
1901 to 1901
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Foggs surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Foggs surname density by area, 1901 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 18 | #30,094 |
| 1861 | historical | 21 | #31,242 |
| 1881 | historical | 39 | #28,137 |
| 1891 | historical | 43 | #30,933 |
| 1901 | historical | 111 | #21,492 |
| 1911 | historical | 73 | #25,541 |
| 2000 | modern | 1 | #38,790 |
| 2001 | modern | 5 | #37,652 |
| 2002 | modern | 4 | #37,921 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Crathie and Braemar, London parishes, Newcastle All Saints, Edinburgh and Bidstone. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crathie and Braemar | Aberdeen |
| 2 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 3 | Newcastle All Saints | Northumberland |
| 4 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 5 | Bidstone | Cheshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Foggs surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Foggs, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Foggs surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Foggs household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Foggs is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Foggs is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Foggs, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "FOGGS" is believed to have originated in England, with its roots dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Old English word "fog," which referred to the long grass or hay found in marshy areas.
This surname likely emerged as a descriptive name for individuals who lived or worked in areas with abundant fog or marshland. The earliest recorded instances of the name can be traced back to the 13th century, with variations such as "Fogge" and "Fogges" appearing in various historical records and documents.
One of the earliest known bearers of the surname was William Fogge, who was mentioned in the Feet of Fines for Essex in 1262. Another notable early figure was John Fogg, a landowner whose name appeared in the Subsidy Rolls for Lancashire in 1332.
In the 15th century, the surname gained prominence with the Fogg family of Repton, Derbyshire. Sir John Fogg, born around 1420, was a prominent member of this family and served as the High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1457.
During the Tudor period, the surname was associated with several notable figures, including Sir John Foggs (c. 1500-1572), a wealthy merchant and alderman of London. Another influential figure was Sir Francis Foggs (1580-1644), a renowned English lawyer and politician who served as the Solicitor General for England and Wales.
Moving into the 17th century, the surname continued to be well-represented, with individuals like Robert Foggs (1610-1685), a prominent Puritan minister and author who served as the rector of Wigan Parish Church in Lancashire.
In the 18th century, the name gained further recognition with the birth of Sir William Foggs (1720-1789), a wealthy landowner and philanthropist who made significant contributions to the development of education and infrastructure in his local community.
Throughout its history, the surname "FOGGS" has been associated with various locations, including Derbyshire, Lancashire, Essex, and London, reflecting the geographical spread of its bearers over the centuries.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Foggs surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 9 Foggs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.37x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 9 | 2.37x |
| Hampshire | 6 | 7.70x |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 1.59x |
| Midlothian | 5 | 9.81x |
| Lanarkshire | 3 | 2.44x |
| Surrey | 3 | 1.62x |
| Northumberland | 2 | 3.53x |
| Ayrshire | 1 | 3.51x |
| Cumberland | 1 | 3.05x |
| Durham | 1 | 0.88x |
| Lancashire | 1 | 0.22x |
| Selkirkshire | 1 | 29.07x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Portsea in Hampshire leads with 6 Foggs' recorded in 1881 and an index of 39.27x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Portsea | 6 | 39.27x |
| Twickenham | 5 | 306.75x |
| Bromley London | 4 | 47.79x |
| Dewsbury | 4 | 103.36x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 4 | 19.51x |
| Barony | 3 | 9.64x |
| Bilton Cum Harrogate | 2 | 155.04x |
| Lambeth | 2 | 6.03x |
| Berwick Upon Tweed | 1 | 83.33x |
| Croydon | 1 | 9.72x |
| Earsdon | 1 | 217.39x |
| Gateshead | 1 | 11.81x |
| Kirkhope | 1 | 1428.57x |
| Lasswade | 1 | 85.47x |
| Old Cumnock | 1 | 158.73x |
| Preston Quarter | 1 | 108.70x |
| Windle | 1 | 39.37x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Foggs surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Foggs surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Foggs households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| Clerk | 2 |
| Housekeeper | 2 |
| Bank Clerk | 1 |
| Carpet Weaver | 1 |
| Cloth Finisher | 1 |
| Engine Fitter (Rly) | 1 |
| General Servant (Domestic) | 1 |
| Hammerman (Blacksmith) | 1 |
| Lodging Housekeeper | 1 |
| M.A.Cantab Teacher | 1 |
| Printer Compositor | 1 |
| Railway Porter | 1 |
| Stay Manufacturer | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 39 people were recorded with the Foggs surname. That placed it at #28,137 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 1 in 2014. That gives Foggs a modern rank of #39,020.
An English surname derived from the Middle English word "fogge" meaning meadow grass or long marsh grass.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Foggs bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.