Fox History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Fox originally appeared in Gaelic as O Sionnaigh, derived from the word “sionnach,” which means “fox.”

Early Origins of the Fox family

The surname Fox was first found in County Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) located in Southwestern Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times.

Early History of the Fox family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fox research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1624, 1691, 1749, 1806, 1806, 1624, 1691, 1627, 1716, 1661, 1679, 1679, 1685, 1689, 1661, 1676, 1679 and 1680 are included under the topic Early Fox History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fox Spelling Variations

Within the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Fox were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual’s name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Fox, McFox, McShanaghy, McShinagh, McShinnock and others.

Early Notables of the Fox family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family name at this time was George Fox (1624-1691), an English Dissenter and a founder of the Religious Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers or Friends; Sir Stephen Fox (1627-1716).

Fox World Ranking

In the United States, the name Fox is the 186^th most popular surname with an estimated 131,811 people with that name. [1] However, in Canada, the name Fox is ranked the 329^th most popular surname with an estimated 13,697 people with that name. [2] And in Australia, the name Fox is the 163^rd popular surname with an estimated 18,798 people with that name. [3]New Zealand ranks Fox as 192^nd with 2,900 people. [4] The United Kingdom ranks Fox as 114^thwith 42,599 people. [5]

 Fox migration to the United States +

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Fox family in North America: 

Fox Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Thomas Fox, who arrived in Jamestown, Va in 1608 aboard the ship “Second Supply” [6]
• Mr. Thomas Fox, British settler who sailed from Isle of Wright arriving in Salem, Massachusetts in 1630 aboard the ship “Ambrose” as part of the Winthrop Fleet [7]
• Hugh Fox, who arrived in Virginia in 1633 [6]
• Mr. Hugh Fox, aged 24, from England who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship “America” arriving in June 1635 [6]
• George Fox, aged 14, who landed in Virginia in 1635 [6]

Fox Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Joseph Fox, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 [6]
• Richard Fox, who arrived in Virginia in 1704 [6]
• John Fox, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 [6]
• James Fox, who settled in Virginia in 1706
• Marmaduke Fox, who arrived in Virginia in 1714 [6]

Fox Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Patt Fox, who arrived in New York, NY in 1804 [6]
• Joseph Fox, who landed in America in 1811 [6]
• Antonio Fox, who arrived in Puerto Rico in 1816 [6]
• Mr. Fox, who landed in Mobile, Ala in 1822 [6]
• Joseph F Fox, who landed in New York in 1836 [6]

Fox Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

• George Greenfield Fox, who arrived in Colorado in 1901 [6]
• George Fox, who arrived in South America in 1911 [6]

 Fox migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Fox Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Barnaby Fox, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
• Christopher Fox, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
• Daniel Fox, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Castor Fox, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
• Mrs. Mary Fox U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 328 aboard the ship “HMS Clinton”, picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York [8]