Surname Faunce - Meaning and Origin

Faunce: What does the surname Faunce mean?

Faunce is an English surname of Norman-French origin. It is derived from the Old French word "faunce," which means a young deer or antler. The first record of this name was found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was listed as "Faunce." It is believed to have been popularized in England by the Normans, who brought the surname to the country with them after their successful 1066 conquest.

Today, the Faunce name is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. However, it is also found with some frequency in the United States. It is especially prevalent in the New England area, and several notable Americans have borne the name, including former presidents Gerald Ford and Theodore Roosevelt.

By the etymology of the name, it can be implied that it originated in a wealthy family, as deer in many cultures are symbols of wealth and status. Many individuals with the Faunce surname hold positions of power and respect, including members of the United States military, governors, and prominent lawyers.

Generally, those with the Faunce surname are seen as strong-minded, decisive, and sociable. Above all, they are proud of their heritage, and often take great pride in their ancestors, who once helped shape the modern world.

Faunce: Where does the name Faunce come from?

The last name Faunce is still quite common in England today. It can be found in many English counties, including Essex, Norfolk, Cornwall, Sussex, Yorkshire, and Lancashire. A common variant spelling is Fauncey.

Faunce is usually an English topographic surname, which meant a person who lived near a fountain or spring. It is also sometimes a locational surname, which derived from the name of a town or village called Faunce. The name originated from the Old English word ‘fount’ which identified springs, streams, or other water sources, although the actual source of the surname remains unclear.

The Faunce surname was used as a first name in the late 16th century, which became particularly popular in Devon during the 17th century. The Faunce name can also be traced back to the Norman period in England, where it was used as a surname to denote people who owned or lived by a spring or fountain.

The Faunce family was originally based in Lancashire, with William de la Faunce mentioned in the 1208 rolls of Lancashire. From here it spread into neighbouring counties, with records of the name spanning the past 600 years. Today there are still plenty of Faunce families living in England, particularly in counties near Lancashire.

Variations of the surname Faunce

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Faunce include Faunce, Faunes, Fauncey, Fauncey, Faunesy, Fancs, Fauns, Faunce, Faunsed, Fauncos, Faunser, Faunsis, Fauance, Fawnce, Fauncey, Fans, Foncier, Faungers, Fancie, Faunseur, Fauncee, Fauncell, Faunss and Faunce.

Faunce is believed to be a location based surname that originated from northern France. It is derived from a location in France that was once known as “Fanc”. The location was named for the fan-shaped trees planted there. The spelling of the location varied over time, reflecting its pronunciation in different regions and dialects, and eventually developed into the surname “Faunce”.

Other variations of the Faunce surname have also been found in France, England, Scotland, and Ireland. In Scotland, the Fanes family is found as a sept of Clan Keith, and the Faunser family is believed to have been of English origin, settling in Ayrshire in the 16th century. In Ireland, Faunce is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Fachtna, which means “descendant of Fachtna”.

The Faunce surname is believed to have arrived in America in the mid-17th century, with many of the early settlers coming from England or Scotland. It can also be found as an adopted name in parts of Canada and the United States. The Faunce name has spread to other parts of the world, but it is still largely found in the countries of its origin.

Famous people with the name Faunce

• Reverend Thomas Faunce: American clergyman and librarian of the University of Pennsylvania from 1872-1902.
• Billy Faunce: Baseball great from the early 1900’s. He played for his hometown team, the Philadelphia Athletics.
• Sir Thomas Faunce: English barrister and Lord Mayor of London in 1875.
• Thomas Faunce Jr.: Son of Reverend Thomas Faunce; professor of English at Yale University.
• Edward Faunce: a prominent colonial American lawyer who represented RI in the Continental Congress.
• James Albion Faunce: Massachusetts lawyer and judge of the US district court from 1892-1905.
• John Faunce: British member of Parliament from 1764-1784.
• Joseph Faunce: a leader of the Plymouth Colony in the 1600s.
• Wesley Faunce: professional golfer who won the U.S. Amateur in 1915.
• Harry Faunce: Welsh singer-songwriter and musician.
• Charlie Faunce: British professional wrestler in the 1920s and 1930s.
• Caleb Faunce: surgeon during the American Revolution and a National Hero in the U.S.
• J. Russell Faunce: American theologian and professor at Princeton Theological Seminary.
• Arthur Faunce: American actor who appeared in numerous films from 1910-1930.
• William Faunce: early 20th century American race car driver.
• Thomas Faunce Leavitt: Canadian politician and the first leader of Progressive Conservative of Canada.

Other surnames

Fauncher