Surname Faulkner - Meaning and Origin
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J. Faulkner
read moreFaulkner: What does the surname Faulkner mean?
Faulkner is a surname of English origins. Coming from the Old French word "fauconnier", which means "falconer", the name was an occupational surname originally given to individuals who trained or hunted with falcons. Falconry was a popular sport among the noble classes in medieval Europe, making the falconer an important role in society. As with many surnames derived from occupations, it's likely that those originally named Faulkner were servant or family members tied to the role of a falconer, perhaps within a royal or noble household. It’s important to mention that spelling of surnames evolved over centuries and “Faulkner” itself has alternate spelling variations like Falkner, Falconer or Faulknor. Despite its English origins, Faulkner is used as a surname in many English-speaking countries today. The name has been worn by several notable people, including Nobel laureate William Faulkner, making it recognised worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisFaulkner: Where does the name Faulkner come from?
The last name Faulkner is English in origin and derives from the Old French word "fauconier," meaning a keeper or trainer of falcons. It was an occupational surname passed down to those involved in this profession, which was highly important during the Middle Ages due to the popularity of falconry as a sport among the elite. English surnames began to be standardized after the Norman Conquest of 1066 and many were derived from personal occupations or characteristics. There are many variations of the name such as Faulconer, Falkner, and Fulker. Today, the surname is most common in the United States, Canada, England, and Australia. Particularly, it is prevalent in the southern United States, largely thanks to the fame and influence of the great Southern novelist, William Faulkner.
Variations of the surname Faulkner
The surname Faulkner has several known variants and spellings which have evolved over the years stemming from its English and German origin. These include Falkner, Fawkner, Faukner, and Faulconer. Sometimes, it can also appear phonetically as Fulker.
On the other hand, the surname also relates to several surnames of the same origin—in this case, the occupation of falconry, the sport of kings. Occupations often gave rise to surnames in medieval times. For Faulkner, it was an occupational name for a keeper of falcons. Thus, it is related to surnames like Falconer, Falconieri, Halbgewachs (German for half plant, origin in Falcons feeding habit), Voegler (Middle High German word for falconer), and Sokolov (derived from the Slavic word "sokol" meaning falcon).
In Ireland, the surname Faulkner is often considered to be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Mac an Phearsain" meaning "son of the Parson" so its variants might include MacPherson or Pearson.
Please keep in mind the spelling and pronunciation may vary widely, part of the rich tapestry of global surname history and evolution.
Famous people with the name Faulkner
- William Faulkner: An American writer and Nobel Prize laureate, best known for his novels and short stories set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County.
- Harris Faulkner: An American newscaster and television host for Fox News Channel.
- Newton Faulkner: An English singer-songwriter and musician popular for his hit "Dream Catch Me."
- Northrop Frye: a relative of Faulkner, Northrop was a Canadian literary critic and literary theorist.
- James Faulkner: An English actor best known for his role as Pope Sixtus IV in the television series "Da Vinci's Demons."
- Andrew Faulkner: An Australian politician who was the Senator for South Australia.
- Faulkner (band): The band named Faulkner, identified as an alternative rock band based in Los Angeles and New York.
- Craig Faulkner: A retired professional baseball catcher.
- John Faulkner: An Australian Labor Party politician, represented New South Wales in the Australian Senate.
- Faulkner (musician): American musician and songwriter, played as part of duo with Joe Simon in the late 70s.
- Brian Faulkner: He served as the sixth and last Prime Minister of Northern Ireland.
- Steve Faulkner: English footballer and former head coach of the Hong Kong national football team.