Surname Folkner - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Folkner: What does the surname Folkner mean?
The last name Folkner is a Germanic name of Norse origin. It is composed of two elements, 'folk' meaning "people" or "tribe", and 'ner', meaning "courageous". The combination of these elements signifies a person, group or tribe who is brave or strong.
In medieval times, the Germanic people were fierce warriors and fighters. As such, the name Folkner is a reflection of this strength and courage. Folkner is closely related to other names like 'Volker', 'Fulcher' and 'Volkner', all of which have the same meaning and origin.
The name Folkner is often associated with people from northern Europe, like the Germans, Scandinavians, Dutch and English. As these people were renowned for their bravery and resilience, so too did the name Folkner come to represent these qualities.
In contemporary times, people with the last name Folkner are often seen as independent and highly determined. This is in part due to their strong heritage, and their connection to a proud tradition of strength and resilience.
Overall, the name Folkner has strong cultural and historical significance. It represents the courage and bravery of a people who have long faced and endured difficult challenges. As such, it is a reminder of their collective strength and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisFolkner: Where does the name Folkner come from?
The last name Folkner is primarily found in the United States, Canada and Germany. According to the 2010 US census, there were over 4000 individuals with the surname Folkner living in the US. The majority of the bearers of this name live in California, Texas, and Florida.
In Canada, the surname is more prevalent in the provinces of Nova Scotia, British Columbia and Ontario. In Germany, it is most common in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Lower Saxony and Bavaria.
The etymology of name Folkner is uncertain. It could be derived from an occupational name, or be a variant of the German name Fulkner, which was derived from the Germanic elements folc meaning "people" and hari or heri meaning "army". Within Germany itself, the surname could be a habitational name for someone who originally hailed from Folkenrode, a small community in the North Rhine-Westphalia region.
Regardless, the surname Folkner remains popular among its bearers today, and is one of the most widely found surnames in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Folkner
The surname Folkner can be spelled several different ways including Fullner, Foulkner, Faulkner, Folker and Folkerd. These spellings can be found in both English and German.
In Germany, the surname is derived from the Middle High German names Folcher, Folker and Volkmar. The name is likely derived a blend of the word ‘Folk’ which refers to people living in a region and ‘Mar’ which is a popular personal name. The surname is believed to have originally been a nickname that stuck over time.
The English version of the surname may have been derived from the Dutch surname Falkenaer which seems to be a derivative of ‘falkener’, meaning falconer.
Folkner is the most common spelling of the surname and has variants including Folker, Fulker, Falkner, Falckner, Faulkner, Falkiner, Folkerd, Fullner, Folckner and Foulkner. These variants are all derived from the original German or Dutch name.
Variants of the surname may also have evolved depending on the dialect of the area from which the name derived. Some variants may even have been influenced by the presence of English settlers. It is possible that variants such as Falkenier, Falckner, and Foulkner were derived to try and resemble a more English spelling.
The Folkner surname is commonly found in Europe, particularly in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. In the US, the surname is found in states that have large German populations including Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Overall, the surname Folkner can be spelled in many different ways with the most common variant being Foulkner. Several of the variants of this surname were derived from either German or Dutch names and others may have been impacted by the presence of English settlers. The surname is most commonly found in Europe but can also be found in the US in states with large German populations.
Famous people with the name Folkner
- William Faulkner: Nobel Prize-winning author of As I Lay Dying, Light in August, The Sound and the Fury, and other influential works of fiction.
- Cormac McCarthy: Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Blood Meridian, All the Pretty Horses, The Road, and No Country for Old Men.
- J.D. Salinger: Author of the iconic Catcher in the Rye as well as other celebrated works such as Franny and Zooey and Nine Stories.
- Woody Allen: Academy Award-winning director, writer, actor and stand-up comedian known for his unique brand of humor.
- Bob Dylan: Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and poet whose works have had an immense influence on rock and roll music.
- Will Ferrell: Comedic actor and writer who rose to fame on Saturday Night Live and starred in many hit Hollywood films such as Anchorman, Elf, Zoolander, and Step Brothers.
- Robert Frost: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet whose works, such as “The Road Not Taken”, are among the most widely read in all of literature.
- Louisa May Alcott: Author of the iconic Little Women and other popular works of fiction.
- Nellie Melba: Australian operatic soprano and the first Australian to achieve international recognition for her vocal skills.
- Nobel Prize-winning American economist Paul Samuelson.