The Origins of the surname FOWERAKER

Geographical Origins

After doing a bit of research into the family history, it becamse obvious that the name originated in England in the counties of Somerset and Devon. Before 1600, nearly all the references to Foweraker are from this area.

After this date, the Fowerakers began to spread out, first around Britain and then around the world. [ see Fowerakers of the World ]

Origin of the surname FOWERAKER

The earliest reference we have found to the surname 'Foweraker', or the related form 'Fouracre', dates from around 1000 A.D, though personally I have only found records dating back to about 1400.

We have heard three different explanations of the origin of the surname 'Foweraker'.

1. Looking at the form 'Fouracre', the origin is readily apparent. Perhaps it comes from a family who owned/farmed 'four acres' of land. The form 'Foweraker' probably arose because 'fower' was how 'four' was pronounced in the west of England. It should be remembered that the standard of literacy was not particularly high between 1000 and 500 years ago and that changes in spelling often depended on the people who wrote the records. Some records dating from about 1800, show a certain 'Edmund Foweraker' who managed to spell his surname differently in about 5 separate cases. The Foweraker name can be traced back to the 1100s in the Reign of Richard The Lionheart when the family of Fowerakers were given a Coat Of Arms by it is believed by Richard, for bravery on the field of battle.

2. The other explanation is that the 'four' in fact originated from 'fore', and therefore refered to a family who owned/farmed some land which was at the front of a larger area.

3. Ximena Foweraker from Chile has sent the following explanation of the origin of the Fowerakers: they come from Ireland, because many years ago a viking called Feuerhake arrived to the island and the name was translate to gaelic. Feuerhake means Raker of fire in german.

Forms

It seems that the form 'Fouracre' is more popular than the form 'Foweraker' nowadays by about 4 to 1. In the UK, only the forms Foweraker and Fouracre exist (as far as I know). The Foweraker form seems to be relatively more common in Devon and the Fouracre form more common in Somerset. The two forms probably split for good around 1700 to 1800, however we know of at least one occaision where somebody changed there name from Foweraker to Fouracre around 1900 because they were fed up with people spelling it incorrectly. In America the forms Foraker and very rarely Foweracre also exist. It is thought that the original emigrants to the states changed the spelling from Foweracre to Foraker. There are some Fowerakers in the states today but they have all arrived within the last 50 years.

Motto

The latin motto is Virtus Mille Scuta, which means Valour Is Equal To A Thousand Shields.

The Heraldic Device of the name of Foweraker

Explanation of Heraldic Terms

Argent

silver

Sable

black

Gules

red

Or

gold

Demi

one half.

Saltire

(sal'-teer) One of the honorable ordinaries. It is made in the form of a St. Andrew's cross, or the letter X. Its breadth should be one-third of the field. The saltire is popular in Scottish heraldry.

Escallop

(es-kol'-up) The figure of a scallop shell. This was originally worn to signify that the wearer had made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James, Compostella, Spain. Later on it was placed on the shield to show that the bearer or an ancestor had been a Crusader or had made a long pilgrimage.

Griffon

A fabulous beast, generally drawn with the body, legs and tail of a lion, the head of a cock or an eagle, a pair of wings and long, sharp claws. When represented on his hind legs he is segreant. To express swiftness and strength.

Many thanks to Ern Foweraker from Australia for his contributions to this page.