Surname Fal - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Fal: What does the surname Fal mean?
The last name Fal is a habitational name derived from a place name, likely referring to a meadow or a grassy clearing, which is derived from the Spanish word, “falca”, meaning “fertile flatland”. The last name is commonly found throughout Central and South America, though it is primarily found in Portugal and Spain. It is thought that the surname was likely adopted by Spanish and Portugese explorers who ventured around South America during the 15th and 16th centuries.
The surname is often associated with many different cultures and languages; “Fal” is also a common surname in Wales, which is derived from the Welsh word “mael”, meaning “prince” or “chief”, and can be found in early Welsh literature. It is also found amongst the African diaspora, although its origin is unclear, and may have been adapted from one of many languages in the regions of West and Southern Africa.
Throughout the world, the surname Fal is associated with a variety of different cultures and their ongoing contribution to the history of America and Europe. It likely represents various different people, families, and stories that evolved over time, and that have been woven into the fabric of so many cultures that trace their heritage to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond.
Order DNA origin analysisFal: Where does the name Fal come from?
The last name Fal is quite common in parts of Central and South America, particularly in the region known as "the Southern Cone." Fal is also a popular last name in Spain, particularly in the provinces of Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, where it is most frequently listed in the city of Toledo. Fal is also found scattered across other parts of Spain, as well as in areas of France, Mexico, Italy, and Romania.
In the United States, the last name Fal is most commonly found in parts of the northeast and upper midwest, including states like New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the name Fal is the 440th most common surname in the country.
Outside of these areas, Fal is a rarer last name, but it is found sporadically throughout India, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. As the world becomes more interconnected, it's likely that the name Fal will begin to spread into new locations.
Variations of the surname Fal
The surname Fal is an ancient Norman name that came from when the Normans invaded England in 1066. It is derived from the Old French word “Falle”, which means “falcon”. The name spread throughout England, Scotland, Ireland, and other parts of the world as a result of the Norman Conquest.
The variants and spellings of Fal, depending on the time, region, and language, include Faull, Fawle, Fale, Faul, Fauls, Faals, Fals, Fael, Fales, Fells, Falles, Fowells, Fowles, Fowle, Fowels, and Vaulx.
Some notable forms of this surname are Fawell, Faulkner, and Fall.
In addition, some of the more common surnames that share the same origin are Faller, Faerber, Fahler, and Fallman.
There is also a small village in Northern France near Rouen called La Faloise. Although the name is believed to originate in Normandy, the origin of the town's name is uncertain.
The surname Fal is a proud show of the vast array of cultures and countries the name has traversed through and complex history of the cultural intermixing that has allowed it to stand the test of time.
Famous people with the name Fal
- John Fal (euro-pop artist from Lithuania)
- Chris Fal (American songwriter)
- Dora Isabel Fal (Brazilian actress)
- Pedro Fal (Portuguese Banjo player)
- Hima Fal (American acoustic guitar artist)
- Liviu Fal (Romanian filmmaker)
- Emine Fal (Turkish chef, cookbook author and TV show host)
- Dr. Melba Fal (U.S. Army medical officer)
- Fábio Fal (Brazilian actor)
- Davor Fal (Croatian basketball player)
- José Girán Fal (Argentine sculptor and painter)
- Mario Fal (Cuban hip-hop artist)
- Ferdinand Fal (Austrian weightlifter)
- Piter Fal (Mexican fashion designer)
- Dominik Fal (Slovenian ice hockey player)
- Obrad Fal (Serbian rock musician and composer)
- Emil-Crăciun Fal (Romanian writer)
- Marija Fal (Croatian European Union official)
- Gary Fal (American basketball coach)
- Vincenzo Fal (Italian racing cyclist)