Find out how popular the last name Foney is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Foney.

Foney, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Foney surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Foney in America

Foney is the 125282nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Foney surname appeared 137 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Foney.

We can also compare 2010 data for Foney to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Foney

The surname Foney has its origins in England, dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word "fana," meaning "banner" or "standard." This suggests that the name may have been associated with someone who carried a banner or standard during battles or military campaigns.

In the early 14th century, the name was recorded as "Fonye" in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire, indicating its presence in that region. The name also appeared in various spellings, such as "Fonie" and "Fonye," in medieval records from different counties in England.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Foney can be found in the Hundred Rolls of Norfolk from 1273, where a person named Willelmus Foney is listed. This document provides valuable insight into the name's usage during that time period.

In the 15th century, the Foney surname gained prominence with the birth of John Foney (c. 1420 - 1493), a renowned English scholar and theologian. He served as the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and was known for his contributions to the field of theology.

Another notable figure with the Foney surname was Sir William Foney (1540 - 1612), a prominent English lawyer and politician. He served as a Member of Parliament and played a significant role in the legal affairs of his time.

During the 16th century, the Foney family was well-established in the county of Wiltshire, with records indicating their presence in the village of Lacock. A prominent member of this branch was Thomas Foney (1570 - 1638), a successful merchant and landowner.

In the 17th century, the Foney surname spread across various regions of England, with notable individuals such as Richard Foney (1623 - 1692), a respected clergyman and author who served as the Rector of Stratfield Mortimer in Berkshire.

Another prominent figure was Captain John Foney (1645 - 1701), a naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. He gained recognition for his bravery and leadership skills in several naval battles.

The Foney surname has a rich history and has been associated with scholars, lawyers, merchants, and military personnel throughout the centuries. While its origins can be traced back to medieval England, the name has left an indelible mark on various aspects of English society and culture.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Foney

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Foney.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Foney was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Foney has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Foney was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Foney, please contact us.

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