Franklyn
A surname derived from a medieval French variant of the Germanic name Franklin, meaning "free man."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 823 Americans carry the last name Franklyn. That puts it at #32,438 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.24 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 416,469 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Franklyn surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
823
1 in 416,469
Census rank
#32,438
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
709
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 709 bearers of the surname Franklyn in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 32438th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Franklyn, the largest self-reported group is Black at 51.9%. The next largest groups are White (38.2%) and Hispanic (4.0%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Franklyn
The surname FRANKLYN is of English origin, derived from the Old French word "franc," meaning "free" or "freeman." The name first emerged in the 12th century, referring to individuals who were not bound to the land or a feudal lord, unlike serfs or villeins.
This surname is closely associated with the Norman conquest of England in 1066, as many Norman nobles and their retainers settled in the country, bringing their linguistic and cultural influences. The name FRANKLYN likely originated among these Norman settlers, who enjoyed greater freedoms and privileges compared to the native Anglo-Saxon population.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears as "Franclin" or "Franclein," indicating its presence in various parts of the country shortly after the Norman conquest.
During the Middle Ages, the FRANKLYN surname was particularly prevalent in the southern counties of England, such as Kent, Sussex, and Hampshire. This may be attributed to the high concentration of Norman settlements in these areas, where the name took root and spread.
Notable historical figures bearing the FRANKLYN surname include:
1. William FRANKLYN (c. 1480 - 1556), an English politician and landowner who served as a Member of Parliament for Middlesex in the mid-16th century.
2. Richard FRANKLYN (1603 - 1685), an English Puritan clergyman and writer who published several religious works during the 17th century.
3. Rosalind FRANKLYN (1662 - 1737), a notable English feminist and writer who advocated for women's rights and education in the early 18th century.
4. Benjamin FRANKLYN (1706 - 1790), a renowned American polymath, writer, inventor, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, though his surname is more commonly spelled as "Franklin."
5. Thomas FRANKLYN (1779 - 1856), an English architect and surveyor who designed several churches and public buildings in London and the surrounding areas.
It is worth noting that variations in spelling were common in historical records, with the surname appearing as FRANKLYN, FRANKLIN, FRANCKLIN, or FRANCKLYN, among others. Additionally, some instances of the name may have derived from place names or locations, such as Franklin in Somerset or Franklyn's Green in Hertfordshire.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Franklyn
Among Census respondents with the surname Franklyn, the largest self-reported group is Black at 51.9%. The next largest groups are White (38.2%) and Hispanic (4.0%).
The bar chart below shows how Franklyn bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Franklyn surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- Black or African American51.9%
- White38.2%
- Hispanic or Latino4.0%
- Two or more races3.5%
- American Indian and Alaska Native1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Franklyn surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #32,438 | #32,438 | 0.0% |
| Count | 709 | 709 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.24 | 0.24 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Franklyn bearers went from 709 to 709 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #32,438 to #32,438.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Franklyn
FAQ
Franklyn surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Franklyn?
The surname Franklyn holds position #32,438 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 823 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.24 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Franklyn surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Franklyn, the largest self-reported group is Black at 51.9%. The next largest groups are White (38.2%) and Hispanic (4.0%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.