French surname

 

Meaning 'the French', a locational name, for someone who was an incomer from France.

 

Variations, French, Frenchman. This name is of Anglo-Norman descent spreading to Ireland, Scotland and Wales in early times and is found in many mediaeval manuscripts in the above countries.

 

Examples of such are a Symon le Frensch, Wiltshire, who was recorded in the 'Hundred Rolls', England, in the year 1273 and a Robertus Franchman was recorded in the 'Poll Tax' of the West Riding of Yorkshire, in the year 1379.

 

In Early Scottish records the name occurs chiefly in a Latinized form such as Franciscus.

 

The Irish bearers of the name are descended from Theophilus de Frensche, a Norman Baron, who came with William the Conqueror. They first settled in 1300, and a branch of these settled in Roscommon in 1620. That branch produced Sir John French, 1825-1925, who was commander in chief of a force in the first World War

 

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