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FAULKNER Family History

This interesting surname has two distinct possible sources, the first and most likely being from an Old French occupational name for a keeper or trainer of hawks. The derivation is from the Old French "fau(l)connier", "one who hunts with falcons or follows hawking as a sport", also, "keeper and trainer of hawks". The hawk trainer was held in high esteem in medieval times as it was his responsibility to supply hunting hawks to his overlord or the lord of the manor. Early examples of the surname include: Henry le fauconer (Yorkshire, 1219), and John Fauconner (Somerset, 1327).