Show ContentsFulken History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Fulken was a patronymic surname, created from a form of the medieval personal name Philip. It was also a habitational name from a place name in Oxfordshire. Forms of the name such as de Filking(es) are found in this region from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Early Origins of the Fulken family

The surname Fulken was first found in Oxfordshire at Filkins is a village in the civil parish of Filkins and Broughton Poggs. The village dates back to the 12th century when it was listed as Filching. The place name probably means "settlement of the family or followers of a man called Filica," from the Old English personal name + "-ingas." 1 However, the first record of the surname was found in Cheshire in the 13th century when Filkin family held estates there at that time.

Early History of the Fulken family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fulken research. Another 165 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1045, 1424, 1453, 1455, 1487, 1505, 1510, 1535, 1549, 1583 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Fulken History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fulken Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Fulken include Filkin, Filkyn, Fylkin, Fulkin, Fulkyn, Filkins, Philkin, Phylkin, Filken, Felkin and many more.

Early Notables of the Fulken family

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

Migration of the Fulken family

A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: a Robert Philkyn, who arrived in Barbados in 1635 as a British emigrant. Owen, Peter, and Robert Filkin all received land grants in Virginia between 1656 and 1713. Also, a J.H. Filkin arrived by ship in San Francisco in 1852..



  1. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)


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