From: Reaney, P H, (ed. Wilson, R M), 1997, Oxford Dictionary of English Surnames, 3rd ed., OUP, Oxford, unless otherwise stated.
Fairfield
Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: George Fairfield born 1854 Norton Canes, Staffordshire.
Dweller by the fair field.
Fewkes
Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: Benjamin Fewkes born 1786 Swannington, Leicestershire.
There seems to be nothing conclusive. Old German for folk? Old French for falcon – more likely after conquest? Perhaps evolved into Fox? Maybe something to do with Fuchs, such as the German botanist?
Finch
Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: Henry Finch born 1743 Measham, Derbyshire.
From the Anglo-Saxon Old English finc the modern finch, a nickname for a simpleton, or perhaps bird-brain. The English finch has the German equivalent fink. Today fink is used, mainly in America, to refer to an unpleasant or contemptible person.
It is suggested that one origin may be from a catcher or seller of birds for cages or the table (Dictionary of American Family Names 2013, Oxford University Press); for example like Tamino, in The Magic Flute.
Fletcher
Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: James Fletcher born 1807 Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire.
Old French flechier or flecher, maker or seller of arrows.
Fryer
Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: John Fryer born 1830 Bishampton, Worcestershire.
From Old French frere, brother = friar (as in Friar Tuck, of Robin Hood fame).
Fullelove
Earliest in Andrew’s Kindred: William Fullelove born 1848 Whitwick, Leicestershire.
Full of love. Subsidy Rolls Cambridgeshire ffulofloue 1327, Subsidy Rolls Cumberland ffuloflof 1332. To be fair this looks obvious! Seems very much a Yorkshire name.
Aer Reg, if you are passing by, this seems to fit.
Andrew's Kindred 