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 2,791
Agricultural Labourer 366
Labourer 174
General Labourer 167
Domestic Servant 148
Dress Maker 120
Farm Labourer 109
General Servant 105
Laundress 90
General Servant Domestic 67
Carpenter 64
Coal Miner 63
House Keeper 52
Annuitant 47
Tailor 45
Charwoman 44
Bricklayer 43
Shoe Maker 42
Butcher 41
No Occupation 41
Servant 41
Lace Maker 37
Carman 34
Farmers Son 34
Gardener 33

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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