French Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

French Name Meaning: This is an ethnic name for someone from France,or who has adopted French airs.

The middle english term is 'frensche',also a variant of Anglo-Norman french 'frain',a topographic name for someone who lived near an ash tree or ash wood.

Discover how your French ancestors earned their living and spread across the country. Find out more about your family history by using the Free Search box.

Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

French Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the French family

Profession Census Frequency
Scholar 1,141
Agricultural Labourer 491
House Servant 199
Labourer 163
At Home 116
Farm Labourer 113
Dress Maker 87
Laundress 81
Servant 81
Lace Maker 57
Carpenter 53
Scholar At Home 50
General Servant 49
Annuitant 48
Shoe Maker 44
Tailor 42
Pauper 41
Farm Servant 37
Butcher 35
House Keeper 34
Errand Boy 33
Cordwainer 32
Straw Plaiter 31
Gardener 28
Groom 28

French Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 French 100% 101,598
2 Franch 83% 809
3 Frinch 83% 712

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The surname French is the most popular version of all its varients

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