Franklin — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #251 in the US 120,621 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#251
▼ Down 15 since 2000
People in the US
120,621
40.89 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

Origin & Meaning of the Franklin Surname

What does the last name Franklin mean?

The surname Franklin carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 120,621 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Franklin ranks as the #251 most common surname in the United States.

Where does the surname Franklin come from?

The Franklin surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Franklin name far beyond its original homeland.

Language of Origin

The linguistic roots of Franklin trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.

Unknown Unknown

Quick Facts

Surname Franklin
Meaning Origin and meaning under research
Origin Unknown
Language Unknown
US Rank (2010) #251
US Count (2010) 120,621
Per 100K People 40.89
First Letter F

Ethnic Distribution of Franklin

According to the US Census, the Franklin surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 120,621 Americans with the Franklin last name.

White 54.38%
Black 38.76%
Hispanic 2.7%
Asian/PI 0.54%
Native American 0.83%
Two+ Races 2.78%
Ethnic distribution of the Franklin surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White54.38%
Black38.76%
Hispanic2.7%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.54%
Native American0.83%
Two or More Races2.78%

Popularity of Franklin Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Franklin surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#236
114,859 people
Down 15
Census 2010
#251
120,621 people

The number of Americans with the Franklin surname increased by 5,762 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Franklin Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Franklin ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Franklin

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Franklin.

Other Unknown Surnames

Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Franklin.

Frequently Asked Questions About Franklin

The surname Franklin is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Franklin is ranked #251 in the United States with approximately 120,621 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Franklin surname is distributed as: 54.4% White, 38.8% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Franklin ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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