Pronunciation: [fˈɔːks] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the word "fawkes" is a bit tricky, as it can be pronounced in different ways depending on the context. In IPA phonetic transcription, it can be written as /fɔːks/ or /fɑːks/, with the first one indicating a longer "o" sound and the second one indicating a longer "a" sound. This spelling is commonly associated with Guy Fawkes, the infamous participant in the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Fawkes is a noun that refers to a surname of English origin. It is derived from the medieval given name Fulk or Fulk, which was commonly used during the Middle Ages. The name Fawkes is primarily associated with Guy Fawkes, an infamous figure in British history.
Additionally, Fawkes is also synonymous with the term "Guy Fawkes," which refers to a historical figure who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Guy Fawkes was part of a group of English Catholics who conspired to blow up the House of Lords in an attempt to assassinate King James I. The plot was discovered before it could be executed, resulting in Fawkes' capture and subsequent execution.
The name Fawkes has gained significant recognition due to its association with the annual Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, celebrated in the United Kingdom on November 5th. On this day, effigies or "guys" representing Guy Fawkes are burned on bonfires and firework displays are held in commemoration of the failed assassination attempt.
In contemporary culture, the mask associated with Guy Fawkes, featuring a stylized representation of his face, has become an iconic symbol of protest and political activism. It gained prominence after its use in the graphic novel "V for Vendetta" and its subsequent film adaptation, where the protagonist adopts the mask as a symbol of resistance against a totalitarian regime.
The word "Fawkes" is believed to have originated as a surname, deriving from the Old French personal name "Foulques" or "Folques". This name was introduced to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Over time, the surname "Fawkes" underwent various phonetic changes, leading to its present form. One of the most famous bearers of this name is Guy Fawkes, the English Catholic conspirator who famously attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, which is where he is primarily known from.
