• As an English topographic surname, from the noun fen.
• As a south German surname, from Fenn (“bog, swamp”), related to the above. Compare Fehn.
• As a Chinese surname, from 馮 / 冯, compare Feng.

Fenn

1. A surname.

• Fenne
• Venn (see usage notes)

From Middle Low German venne, from Old Saxon fenni, from Proto-West Germanic *fani, from Proto-Germanic *fanją.

The word did exist in High German (Old High German fenni), but Middle High German venne is rare and the word was later lost in Upper German and most dialects of Central German. The modern form is therefore based chiefly on the Low German lineage.

Cognate with Dutch veen, Walloon fagne (also Walloon fa and Walloon fwè, both only in toponymy) and French fange.

• IPA^(key): /fɛn/

• Audio (Germany (Berlin)):

  (file)

• Homophone: Fan

Fenn n (strong, genitive Fennes or Fenns, plural Fenne)

1. (regional, northern and central Germany) mire, bog, fen

   Synonyms: Moor, Sumpf

The word is rather rare in free use but common in geographical names, in which it is sometimes spelt Venn (most prominently in Hohes Venn).

• “Fenn” in Duden online