Note to the Reader

Early on in this project, I attempted to resolve the origin(s) of the americanized Foulkrod surname.
More recently some other researchers have expressed a curiosity in the same vein. It is only in the spirit
of sharing what notes I had taken in my original efforts that this information is presented.
Under no circumstances is the information presented intended to represent a learned conclusion as
to the origins of the Foulkrod surname.

In determining the meaning of any surname it is important to look to the earliest available spellings as well as any clues to the family's point of origin.  We are fortunate in that it can be determined that the Foulkrod progenitor, Hans/Johanne Adam, was literate and able to sign his own name on the ships list of the Aurora, thus the original spelling can be presumed to be as it was written.   Additionally, records from St. Michael's Lutheran Church clearly define the family's point of origin as Reichstadt, Germany.

From Mary Greenawalt Murphy's A History of the Helt / Hilt Family and The Foulkrod Family of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania published by Mary Greenawalt Murphy P.O. Box 453, Claverack, NY  12513-0453

*          *          *

The name Foulkrod has been spelled many different ways in various records. Found in the records are the following spellings: Fackeroth, Fockerod, Fokerall, Folkrod, Folkrode, Folkroth, Folkryd, Foulkerod, Fuckaret, Fuckerodt, Fuckroth, Fuggerod, Fuggeroth, Fulkrod, Fulkroyd, Vockerod, Vockerodt, Vockrath, Vockroth, Volckroth, Volgroth, Volkroth, and Volkrothin. In the eighteenth century, names were often spelled phonetically, or the way they sounded.

*          *          *

JOHANN (HANS) ADAM FOULKROD

The first family shown with the name was listed in PENNSYLVANIA GERMAN PIONEERS, Volume I, by Strassburger-Hinke, page 106ff, as Hans Adam Fokerall, aged 48 years (born 1685). He and his family arrived in Philadelphia on the ship "Samuel" August 17, 1733. His family consisted of Juliana Fokerall, aged 43 (born 1690); Maria Fokerall, aged 16 (born 1717); Philip Fokerall, aged 15 (born 1718); Eleanor Fokerall, aged 9 (born 1724); Jorick (George) Fokerall, aged 7 (born 26), Jacob Fokerall, aged 3 (born 1730), and Godfrey Fokerall, aged 1 (born 1732). A second listing of this family in the same volume spelled the name Fuckroth.

St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, records for Pentecost 1760 listed Adam Vockerodt, aged 75 1/2 years, living in Frankfurt (Philadelphia County), along with his wife Catherine, aged 71 years, and five children. The record stated that they had been in Philadelphia for twenty four years. The records for the first Sunday after Easter 1760 included, "Jacob Vockerodt, age 30, 25 1/2years in the county, three children, and Anna Christine Vockerodt, 17 years in County, aged 25; lives above Frankford with his parents."

The following Easter, 1761, Adam Vockerodt, wife Catharine, five children, and Jacob Vockerodt and two children attended St. Michael's Lutheran Church. Ages, residence in Frankfurt, and length of time living "in country" correspond to the records given above.

Burial records of St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, page 6, stated:

"May 28, 1772 in Frankford

JOHANN ADAM FOULKROD, B. 1684 in Reichstadt Dec. 17. Learned the weaver's trade. His life was upset by the death of his parents. M. 25 Oct. 1714 JULIANA CATHERINA. Had 5 sons and 3 daughters, 39 grandchildren. Was for 14 years in military service. Served as deacon at St. Michael's Church in Philadelphia and moved 10 years ago to Frankford, 6 miles from Philadelphia. Died 27 August, 1772, aged 87-5-10. 3 sons and 2 daughters and his 80 year widow survive."

From the New Dictionary of American Family Names by Elsdon C. Smith published by Harper & Row in New York, NY © 1956, 1973, p. 429

*          *          *

Rode, Rodd, Rodde, Rod (Eng.) Dweller in the clearing or place where the trees have been removed; descendant of Rod, a pet form of Roderick (fame, rule).

Roden (Ger., Eng.) One who came from Roden (cleared land), the name of two places in Germany; or from Roden (swift river), in Shropshire.

*          *          *

From the New Dictionary of American Family Names by Elsdon C. Smith published by Harper & Row in New York, NY © 1956, 1973, p. 533

Voelker (Ger.) Descendant of Fulchar or Volker (people, army); one who came from Volken or Volkers (people), the names of places in Germany.

*          *          *

Voke, Vokey, Vokes (Eng.) Descendant of Foulk or Fulko (people).

*          *          *

Volk, Volke (Ger.) Descendant of Volk, a short form of names commencing with Volk (people), as Volkold, Folcmar and Fulculf.

Volker, Volkers (Ger.) Variant of Voelker, q.v.

*          *          *

Vollrath (Ger.) Descendant of Fulchrad (people, counsel).

[ 1890 Phila City Dir | 18th Century PA German Naming Customs | Baptismal Records | Bibles | Birth Records | Burial Records | Cemetery Listings | Census Records | Death Records | Deeds | Divorces | Estate Records | Fulkroad Landfill | Maps | Marriage Records | Military Records | Miscellaneous Items | Naturalization Records | Obituaries | Origin of the surname | Passenger List: Aurora, 1744 | Passenger List: Samuel, 1733 | Quaker Information | Social Security Death Index | Topical Index | Volunteer Lookup Services | Wills ]