Surname Faulk - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Faulk: What does the surname Faulk mean?
The last name Faulk is an Anglo-Saxon surname. It originates from the Old French word "falc", which means "falcon". It likely referred to either an occupational name for someone who trained or owned falcons, or a nickname for someone with the characteristics of a falcon, such as being brave and swift.
The surname is first found in records from the Middle Ages. An example of this is a Matilda Faulke who was recorded in the "Liber Feodorum" of Berkshire in 1176 AD. In 1349, Robert Faulconer was noted in the Court Rolls of the Manor of Wakefield.
The name Faulk is particularly associated with the areas of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham and Cumberland in the far north of the England. It can also be found in parts of Scotland and Wales.
Throughout its history, the surname Faulk has been used by many important and prominent families. One of the most famous bearers of this name is the American writer and Nobel Prize laureate William Faulkner. He was renowned for his literary works of the twentieth century, such as The Sound and the Fury.
The last name Faulk is an enduring example of the long heritage of the Anglo-Saxon population in the British Isles. It stands as a testament to the courage and resilience of the families who have proudly borne it.
Order DNA origin analysisFaulk: Where does the name Faulk come from?
The last name Faulk is predominantly found in the United States. According to the 2017 US census, there were about 8,841 people with the last name Faulk in the United States. There are also the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name Faulk in southern states like Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, as well as in some northeastern states like New Jersey.
The surname is likely of Anglo-Saxon and Irish origin and may have derived from a nickname given to someone with light hair or features. It is possible that the Faulk of British origin originated in Normandy or England and then migrated to other countries, including the United States. In fact, some branches of the Faulk family appear to have arrived on American shores as early as the 1600s.
Today, Faulk is an uncommon but widely-dispersed surname. It has been recorded in many spelling forms, including Faull, Faulke, Falk, Fawlk, Fulke, Foulk, Foulke, Fowke, Folke and Foulkes. In some cases, due to the assimilation of multiple cultures, the name may have even changed to a more native spelling, such as Fall or Fahl.
Overall, Faulk is an increasingly rare name with a strong presence in the United States, grounded in rich and diverse history.
Variations of the surname Faulk
The surname Faulk has several variations, spellings and connected family names. The original spelling, originating in England, is Falk. This spelling was altered to Faulk in the late nineteenth century. Variants of Falk include Folck, Fulk, Foulk, Fulke, Falke, Faullk and Falck.
Faulk is a derived patronymic surname—a name derived from a male ancestor’s given name—which possibly originates from Olde English meaning "powerful one" or "brave one." The spelling likely was derived from the Latin word "focal"/"fulc," meaning "strong."
Another possible source of the Faulk surname is from the Latin word “falco,” which means “sage or lynx.” This has been suggested as the origin of the surname Falk, as it could refer to a person who was wise or a wolf catcher.
Connected family names to Faulk include Falkner, Folks, Voltz and Folds. These were derived during the early immigration of the German people to America during the 1700s. All these names stem from the same popular ancestral origin.
The surname Faulk is most commonly found in the United States at present, however it is still present in England and Germany. It is also found in other countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Faulk
- Marshall Faulk: is a professional American football player who played for the Indianapolis Colts and the St. Louis Rams. He was also an analyst for the NFL Network from 2006-2015.
- Deion Sanders: is a former professional American football player who played for several teams in the NFL, including the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. He is a Hall of Famer and currently works for the NFL Network.
- Stephen Faulk: is a former poet and author who wrote the novels “A Million Little Pieces” and “The Girl Who Cried Out”.
- Brennan Faulkner: is an American actor and director who has worked on several television projects, such as the show “Rules of Engagement” and the Disney Channel movie “High School Musical 3: Senior Year”.
- Rickey Faulkner: is an American rapper and producer who has released numerous albums and mixtapes. He is best known for his song “Go Crazy”.
- B. J. Faulkner: is a former professional basketball player who spent most of his time in the NBA playing for the Detroit Pistons.
- Korey Faulkner: is an American basketball player who plays in the Israeli Basketball League for Maccabi Be’er Sheva.
- Jatavia Faulkner: is an American singer and dancer who has been featured on MTV’s series “My Super Sweet Sixteen” and participated in the season two of the show “America’s Best Dance Crew”.
- Donnie Faulkner: is an American singer and songwriter who is best known for his song “Time To Let Go.”
- Yvette Faulkner: is a former professional tennis player who was ranked in the Women’s Tennis Association top 500 in singles and doubles. She is now a TV analyst for the WTA.