Fiennes

Fiennes is a surname associated with a prominent English aristocratic family, the Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes, and with several public figures. The name is also the name of a commune in northern France.

Notable people bearing the name include Sir Ranulph Fiennes, an English explorer and former Army officer who led several polar expeditions; Ralph Fiennes, an English actor; and Joseph Fiennes, an English actor and brother of Ralph.

Geography: Fiennes is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France. The village has medieval origins and is located in the historic Artois region.

Etymology and usage: The surname is believed to originate in the French place name Fiennes, with the English family adopting a hyphenated form (Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes) through marriage and inheritance. In contemporary usage, the name is most familiar from the public figures listed above.