Show ContentsFalkenhan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Falkenhan family

The surname Falkenhan was first found in Lincolnshire at Folkingham (Falkingham), a village and civil parish at the northern edge of the South Kesteven district. "The origin of this town is attributed to the baronial residence of Gilbert de Gaunt, son of the Earl of Flanders, and nephew of Matilda, queen of William the Conqueror; accompanying that monarch in his expedition against England, he was rewarded for his services with 113 lordships in the county of Lincoln, of which he made this place the head." 1 Literally, the place name means "homestead of the family or followers of a man called Folca," from the Old English personal name + "-inga" + "ham." 2 The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the place name as Folchingeham 3 and conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the lands and village of Folkingham, held by Gilbert de Gaunt, (c. 1040-1095) who built a castle there.

Early History of the Falkenhan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Falkenhan research. Another 116 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1394, 1415, 1420, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1683, 1732, 1755 and 1757 are included under the topic Early Falkenhan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Falkenhan Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Falkenhan have been found, including Folkingham, Folkinham, Folkham, Volkingham, Volking, Falkingham, Falkinham, Folkington and many more.

Early Notables of the Falkenhan family

More information is included under the topic Early Falkenhan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Falkenhan migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Falkenhan were among those contributors:

Falkenhan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Armand Falkenhan, aged 25, who arrived in New York, NY in 1852 4


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  3. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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