Phoenix ONS Background Info
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This page is part of the Phoenix Name Study
Phoenix Name Origin
The Phoenix name is reported by the Surname Database as being a variant of the surname Fenwick, associated with the villages of Fenwick in Northumberland, England and Fenwick in East Ayrshire, Scotland. There is a separate One Name Study for the original surname of Fenwick which can be accessed here
In addition to the Fenwick connection the Phoenix surname has evidently been assumed by some families or individuals with different birth surnames. Due to the association with the mythical bird rising from the ashes Phoenix is an obvious choice of name for a fresh start/ renewal. Those who have assumed the name Phoenix include the notable actors River Phoenix, Joaquin Phoenix and Pat Phoenix.
Some Phoenix profiles on WikiTree are for people of black African-American heritage. For these families it is not clear how the name Phoenix was derived. Enslaved individuals usually did not have a legally recognised surname prior to emancipation. The name assumed at emancipation may have come from one of several sources e.g. it may be a surname that had already been held by the family but not legally recognised or it may be a newly assigned name (sometimes the surname of the former slave owner). For a more detailed explanation see slave surnames at reclaimingkin.com.
Phoenix Name Distribution Statistics
At the time of starting this One Name Study in June 2023 the distribution of individuals with Phoenix as their Last Name at Birth on WikiTree is as follows N.B. as the presence or absence of individuals on WikiTree is skewed by the research interests of WikiTree users this may not be representative of the actual distribution of individuals with this surname. Private profiles are also not included in these figures.
| Birth country | Phoenix profiles | Phenix profiles | Fenix profiles | Pheonix profiles |
| United States | 136 | 56 | 14 | 2 |
| England | 124 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| Canada | 101 | 18 | 2 | 0 |
| Ireland | 10 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Wales | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Barbados | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Australia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Sweden | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Netherlands | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Scotland | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Missing/ not known | 129 | 33 | 1 | 1 |
| TOTAL | 517 | 126 | 19 | 5 |
Phoenix Notables
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