Surname Felkner - Meaning and Origin

Felkner: What does the surname Felkner mean?

The last name Felkner is of German origin, derived from the name Falkner. The original form of the name, Falkner, is derived from the German word ‘falken’, which means ‘falconer’ or ‘falcon master’. As such, it was an occupational name given to someone who trained birds of prey for hunting. The prefix 'fel' on the surname Felkner simply means 'brave' in German, providing a meaningful translation of 'brave falconer'.

The use of surnames during the Middle Ages was an identification tool used to distinguish one individual from the other. It was typically derived from a profession, an ancestral place or a physical manifestation. Due to the origin of the Falkner/Felkner surname, it is likely that one or several of the earliest bearers of the name had actually trained birds of prey. However, even during the course of the 20th century, the name began to experience a spread in usage and was adopted by those who did not necessarily have anything to do with falconry.

The name Felkner may be found in many parts of the world today as a surname with a variety of spellings, including Feldner, Fauldner, Feldgood, and Feldhausen. It is also a fairly common surname in the United States, with the most frequent spelling being Felkner.

Felkner: Where does the name Felkner come from?

The last name Felkner is most common today in England, particularly in London and the surrounding counties. It is a fairly uncommon surname in the other countries of the United Kingdom; Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Outside the United Kingdom the last name is found scattered in various countries in Europe and the Americas. It has been found in abundance in Germany, Italy, France, Sweden, Norway, Mexico, and the United States.

In the United States the majority of Felkners can be found in the states of California, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and North Carolina, but there are records of Felkners in every state. The distribution of the name in the US appears to be largely even, with no one state displaying a large concentration of the name.

When researching the Felkner last name, you can find information about its origins dating back to the Middle Ages. It is believed to be derived from the Old English word for ‘folk’, combined with the variant spelling of ‘Kner’, which was derived from the German name ‘Knecht’, meaning ‘servant’. This root likely derives from Old Germanic ‘knecht’, meaning ‘servant’. The name also has variants, including Felkins and Foulkner.

Overall, the last name Felkner is relatively rare today. It is most commonly found in England, the United States, and other parts of Europe. It is believed to have Germanic origins, and is typically spelled with a K or a C.

Variations of the surname Felkner

The surname Felkner has several interconnected variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Felkner, which can also be seen as Falkner, Faulkner, Falconer, Faulks, Falks, Falk, Falke, Faulkes, and Felker.

The surname dates back to the Middle Ages and was derived from the Old German word "volker", or "folk" in English. It was a common occupational surname among those who might have been farmers, herders, or carriers of goods, indicating an individual who was a leader of the "folk" or community.

Variations on the surname Felkner can also be seen in various languages and cultures, particularly those derived from German and the broader Germanic language family. For example, "Volkner" is a notable variant of the surname that is most notable in Russia and much of eastern Europe, while "Fouquer" is a French variant of the same surname.

The spelling has also changed over time, with the modern spelling "Faulkner" being derived from the original "Volker" spelling. This spelling first started appearing in English-speaking countries in the 17th and 18th centuries, and was likely a combination of the Germanic words for "folk" and "leader".

In the United States, the surname Felkner is most common among German-speaking immigrants, many of whom anglicized their surnames upon arriving in the country. It is still a relatively uncommon surname in the US, especially compared to comparable English and French surnames.

Famous people with the name Felkner

• William Faulkner: Nobel Prize-winning American author and poet who wrote novels such as The Sound and the Fury and As I Lay Dying.
• Louanna Felkner: English-American actress and philanthropist who has appeared in films such as The Newsroom and American Reunion.
• George Faulkner: Irish actor who was involved in several films such as Young Sherlock Holmes and The Killer Elite.
• Van Bailey Faulkner: Retired NBA basketball player and frequent television commentator.
• Liam Faulkner: British poet and former soldier, author of the book The War and Its Shadow.
• Tim Faulkner: Singer-songwriter and musician best known for his folk-inspired music.
• Walter L. Faulkner: Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives in 1991.
• Rosemary Faulkner: British philanthropist and founder of the Rosemary Faulkner Charitable Trust.
• Charles A. Faulkner: Former Democratic politician and United States Senator from West Virginia.
• Chris Faulkner: Chief Executive Officer and founder of Breitling Energy Corporation.

Other surnames

Felknor