Surname Falle - Meaning and Origin

Falle: What does the surname Falle mean?

The origins and meanings of the last name Falle are somewhat unclear. It is sometimes found spelled with an ‘e’ at the end, but is also often seen without one.

The origins of the name Falle are thought to lie either in France or Germany, as an ancestral French demonym or a spelling variation of the German surname Fallen. It is possible that some Falle families derive from the placename Fallersleben in Germany.

In France, the name could be of occupational origin, from the Norman Frenchword falleur, referring to a thresher. In Germany, falle indicates a hunter or a skirmisher.

In France, the name may also have been derived from faler, which means “an old falcon.” In this case, Falle could have been taken as a personal name, suggesting qualities of swiftness, perseverance, and courage.

Additionally, Falle is thought to mean “humble” or “humbly powerful” in French, and could have been given as a name to indicate qualities of humility and strength.

At present, it seems that the exact origin and meaning of the surname Falle are shrouded in mystery. Whatever its origin, it has been around for centuries and is still used by families today.

Falle: Where does the name Falle come from?

The last name Falle is predominantly found in Norway, particularly in the cities of Oslo and Bergen. It is also found in other Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. According to a 2011 census, around 900 Norwegian citizens were named Falle, making it the 331st most common last name in the country.

Its Anglicized form in Ireland is found in County Westmeath, where it was carried by French Huguenots who settled in the area in the 17th century. It was also found in small numbers in England in the 19th century.

In the United States, the name was likely carried over by immigrants from Norway and Ireland. By 1940, the name Falle had spread beyond these regions to nearly all 50 states, with the highest concentrations in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa. Today, it is estimated that there are around 3,700 individuals in the US who use Falle as their last name.

Variations of the surname Falle

The surname Falle is thought to have primarily German origins, stemming from the Middle German word ‘falle’ which means ‘to fall’. It has seen a number of spelling variations over time, including Fall, Faller, Feller, Feler and Fell. It is also occasionally encountered as the French form Fallières, the Italian Pallato, and the Spanish Paladino.

The earliest record of people using the Falle surname dates back to 1292, when they were referenced in documents found in the city of Erlangen in the state of Bavaria, Germany.

Falle has come to be used in other parts of Europe, too. In France, it has become known as Fallières. In English-speaking countries, the most common spelling is Fall. In Italy, the most common form is Pallato. And in Spain, the surname is most commonly encountered as Paladino.

All of these variations of the Falle surname are thought to stem from the same Germanic word ‘falle’ — ‘to fall.’ Despite their many and varied spellings, these variants of the Falle surname are believed to all be related, sharing a common ancestry.

Famous people with the name Falle

• Mark Falle: Mark Falle is a successful politician from England. He has held various positions within the British government such as Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, Minister for Europe and International Development, and Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology.
• Steve Falle: Steve Falle is a professional BMX rider from Canada. He has achieved many awards in the sport including threeconsecutive X Games gold medals in BMXdirt.
• Henry Falle: Henry Falle was a renowned British artist and author in the 18th century. He was widely regarded for his exquisite landscapes and portraits of royalty figures in Europe.
• Ingrid Falle: Ingrid Falle is an actress from Sweden. She is best known for her performance in the hit Swedish drama A Million Little Pieces.
• John Falle: John Falle is an American politician from Florida. He is currently the mayor of the City of Fort Lauderdale.
• Anna Falle: Anna Falle is a renowned German singer and songwriter. She has been active in the music industry since the late 1990s, and is best known for her singles "Where You Are" and "They Say".
• Joanna Falle: Joanna Falle is an Italian entrepreneur and businesswoman. She has founded several successful startups in the tech industry including her current venture TheFad Company.
• Harold Falle: Harold Falle is a renowned historian and author. He has written several books on the history of New Zealand, and his most famous work is the definitive history of the Maori people in New Zealand.
• Charles Falle: Charles Falle is a British aristocrat and politician. He currently holds the position of High Steward of the City of Gloucester, and is the current owner of the Falle estate in Gloucestershire.
• George Falle: George Falle is an English explorer and navigator of the 18th century, most famous for the first charting of parts of South America.

Other surnames

FallFallahFallaherFallahiFallandFallantFallasFallawFallinFallisFallonFallowsFalls