UK surname
A habitational surname derived from a location name meaning "Valley of Falcons."
In the 1881 census there were 29 people recorded with the Faulknor surname, ranking it #29,484 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 7, ranked #37,967, down from #29,484 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Northfleet, Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland and Stocklinch Magdalen, Stocklinch Ottersey. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Faulknor is 145 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 75.9%.
1881 census count
29
Ranked #29,484
Modern count
7
2016, ranked #37,967
Peak year
1861
145 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Faulknor surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Faulknor surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 55 | #23,413 |
| 1861 | historical | 145 | #15,715 |
| 1881 | historical | 29 | #29,484 |
| 1891 | historical | 129 | #20,285 |
| 1901 | historical | 27 | #31,057 |
| 1911 | historical | 22 | #31,030 |
| 1997 | modern | 5 | #37,891 |
| 1998 | modern | 4 | #38,082 |
| 1999 | modern | 4 | #38,100 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 4 | #37,862 |
| 2002 | modern | 6 | #37,532 |
| 2003 | modern | 6 | #37,586 |
| 2004 | modern | 5 | #37,830 |
| 2005 | modern | 5 | #37,885 |
| 2006 | modern | 4 | #38,130 |
| 2007 | modern | 5 | #38,004 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 5 | #38,186 |
| 2011 | modern | 5 | #38,168 |
| 2012 | modern | 2 | #38,754 |
| 2013 | modern | 5 | #38,195 |
| 2014 | modern | 6 | #38,077 |
| 2015 | modern | 5 | #38,221 |
| 2016 | modern | 7 | #37,967 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Northfleet, Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland, Stocklinch Magdalen, Stocklinch Ottersey, Cholsey and Lichfield St Michael. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northfleet | Kent |
| 2 | Wingrave with Rowsham, Drayton Beauchamp, Buckland | Buckinghamshire |
| 3 | Stocklinch Magdalen, Stocklinch Ottersey | Somerset |
| 4 | Cholsey | Berkshire |
| 5 | Lichfield St Michael | Staffordshire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Faulknor surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Faulknor, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Faulknor surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Faulknor household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Faulknor is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Faulknor is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Faulknor, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Faulknor is of English origin and can be traced back to the 13th century. It is believed to have derived from the Old English words 'falc' and 'nor', which together translate to 'northern falconer'. This suggests that the earliest bearers of this name were likely falconers or individuals involved in the hunting of birds of prey in the northern regions of England.
The name Faulknor has been found in various historical records throughout the centuries. One of the earliest documented instances is in the Hundred Rolls of Oxfordshire from 1273, where a Richard le Fauconer is mentioned. This spelling variation highlights the evolution of the name over time.
In the 14th century, the Faulknor surname appeared in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire, indicating that the name was prevalent in the northern counties of England during this period. A notable individual from this era was Sir William Faulknor, a knight who served under Edward III and took part in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.
The Faulknor name can also be linked to various place names in England, such as Falconhurst in Kent and Falcondale in Shropshire. These place names likely originated from the Old English words 'falc' and 'hyrst' (wooded hill) or 'dæl' (valley), respectively, further reinforcing the connection between the surname and falconry.
In the 16th century, William Faulknor (1520-1576) was a prominent figure who served as a Member of Parliament for Nottinghamshire during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Another notable individual was John Faulknor (1577-1643), an English clergyman and theologian who served as the Dean of Gloucester.
During the 17th century, the Faulknor surname continued to be found in various records, including the Hearth Tax Rolls of Yorkshire and the Parish Registers of Lincolnshire. Thomas Faulknor (1610-1689) was a well-known English mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of optics.
In the 18th century, James Faulknor (1720-1790) was a renowned British architect who designed several notable buildings, including Strawberry Hill House in Twickenham. Another notable figure was William Faulknor (1776-1844), a British naval officer who served during the Napoleonic Wars and was awarded the Naval General Service Medal.
As the centuries passed, the Faulknor surname continued to be found across various regions of England, with individuals from this family making contributions in various fields, including literature, science, and the military. The name's enduring presence in historical records serves as a testament to its rich heritage and the diverse contributions of those who bore it.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Faulknor surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Berkshire leads with 15 Faulknors recorded in 1881 and an index of 70.65x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Berkshire | 15 | 70.65x |
| Leicestershire | 5 | 15.95x |
| Lincolnshire | 4 | 8.85x |
| Middlesex | 4 | 1.41x |
| Warwickshire | 1 | 1.40x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cholsey in Berkshire leads with 15 Faulknors recorded in 1881 and an index of 8823.53x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Cholsey | 15 | 8823.53x |
| Billinghay | 4 | 2857.14x |
| Leicester St Leonard | 3 | 1000.00x |
| Leicester St Margaret | 2 | 26.14x |
| Shoreditch London | 2 | 16.31x |
| Towerof London London | 2 | 2222.22x |
| Birmingham | 1 | 4.21x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Faulknor surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Faulknor surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Faulknor households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 6 |
| Laundress | 3 |
| Platelayer On G W R | 2 |
| Bakers Boy | 1 |
| Basket Maker | 1 |
| Builders Carpenter | 1 |
| Carrier | 1 |
| Color Serjeant 6th Regiment | 1 |
| Domestic Servant | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Packer On G W R (Rail Lab) | 1 |
| Pauper | 1 |
| Shoe Finisher | 1 |
| Shoe Machinist | 1 |
| Soldier 6th Regiment | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 29 people were recorded with the Faulknor surname. That placed it at #29,484 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 7 in 2016. That gives Faulknor a modern rank of #37,967.
A habitational surname derived from a location name meaning "Valley of Falcons."
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Faulknor bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.