Surname Flentroy - Meaning and Origin
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Flentroy: What does the surname Flentroy mean?
The last name Flentroy is believed to be of French origin. It likely originates from a Norman or Flemish word meaning 'a person from Flent'. Flent is an old Norman or Flemish word meaning 'afloat', which may be an allusion to a river or body of water. The name could also derive from the French phrase “fleeing through” which suggests someone who ran away or escaped.
In the medieval period, it was very common for the lower classes of society to adopt or take on a last name. Many surnames in those days were formed from an ancestor's profession, location, and patronymic names such as Flentroy.
The Flentroy name is believed to have first appeared in France in the mid-1600s. The name began to spread throughout Europe as the family migrated in search of better opportunities or military service. It is believed that the Flentroy family established itself in England during the late 1600s and moved to the United States during colonial times.
The Flentroys have been noted for their involvement in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and various labor struggles in the United States. The family has also served in the military and government.
A well-known modern bearer of the Flentroy surname is the American lawyer and civil rights activist Clarence Flentroy. He notably helped fight for the rights of African Americans in the United States. He was the first African American to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and he later lived to become the longest serving judge in the Fourth Circuit.
The Flentroy name is a representation of the struggles and perseverance of the generations of family members who have worked to improve the lives of others nation and the world.
Order DNA origin analysisFlentroy: Where does the name Flentroy come from?
The last name Flentroy is believed to be of French origin, although its exact origin is unknown. Today, the name is found throughout the United States and in many other countries. It is common in urban communities and can be found in cities such as Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Atlanta, Miami, and Philadelphia. The name is also concentrated in certain states such as Louisiana, Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
In Louisiana, the Flentroy name is very common, appearing in many census records from the early twentieth century. The name is also found in large numbers in Arkansas and Mississippi. In these two states, most Flentroy families can be traced back to the early settlers of the region in the 1800s.
In addition to the United States, the Flentroy surname can be found in Canada, England, Ireland, and Jamaica. In all of these countries, the name is not as prevalent as it is in the United States, but there are still a significant number of people bearing the name.
Overall, the last name Flentroy is common today in both the United States and several other countries. It appears in many urban communities and is particularly prevalent in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Florida. The name can also be found in Canada, England, Ireland, and Jamaica, although not in as large of numbers.
Variations of the surname Flentroy
The surname Flentroy is an Americanized spelling of the German-Jewish surname, "Flechtner," which has a variety of spelling variants that emerged over the years due to the various different regional dialects and pronunciations. In addition, many immigrants to the United States Anglicized their German surnames upon arrival and so Flentroy is just one variant spelling of this name.
Variations of the name include Flechtner, Flechtnor, Flentner, Flentner, Flentmeyer, Flentnur, Flantner, Feldner, and Feldnern. Over the centuries, immigrants have Anglicized their original German-Jewish names into English-sounding surnames, such as Fluetner, LaFleener, LaFleener, La Fleener, La Fleenor, LaFleenor, and La Flenter.
In some cases, the name has also been changed to a more phonetically-friendly spelling such as Fleanto, Flentor, Fleentor, and Fleentro. Additionally, the surname may have been adapted into other forms such as Flentroye, Fleentroy, Fleendroy, Fleendroye, Fleendroys, and Fleentroys.
The range of spelling variants for this surname serves to illustrate the complex cultural history of this particular family line and its subsequent immigration to the U.S. In many cases, the spelling of this surname has been altered to a more recognizable version, depending on the region of origin and the time period.
Famous people with the name Flentroy
- Alvin Flentroy, American actor and musician
- Ava Flentroy, American politician
- Daisy Flentroy, English actress
- Omar Flentroy, American singer and songwriter
- Renee Flentroy, American basketball player
- Tammy Flentroy, Canadian actress
- Tony Flentroy, American football player
- Willow Flentroy, British tennis player
- Zachary Flentroy, American entrepreneur and investor
- Alfonzo Flentroy, American artist
- David Flentroy, British historian
- Eileen Flentroy, American zoologist
- Janet Flentroy, American fashion designer
- Joey Flentroy, American comedian
- Lola Flentroy, American model
- Morris Flentroy, American musician
- Nancy Flentroy, American author
- Reginald Flentroy, American naval officer
- Severin Flentroy, Austrian musician
- Vivian Flentroy, Canadian athlete