Franks
A surname with more than one likely source: often a form of Frank, meaning “free” or “Frenchman,” and sometimes linked to a place-name or ethnic label.
The #1,165 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 10,239 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Franks is usually treated as a plural or patronymic form of Frank. In the historical sources, Frank is connected both with the personal name Francis and with the older ethnic term for a Frank or Frenchman; behind that lies Latin Francus, meaning “Frank” and later “free.” In some cases the surname may also reflect a local or descriptive nickname rather than direct descent from an ancestor named Frank.
History
Medieval records show several spellings, including Frankes and Frankys, and the name appears in English sources from at least the 14th century. Nineteenth-century surname writers note that Franks could arise from the pet name Frank, from Francis, or occasionally from a local source. The surname became established in England and later spread to North America and other English-speaking countries.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
One historical source explicitly treats Franks as just “Frank” with an added final -s, a very common surname-forming pattern in English.
From the historical record
“to be its diminutive. FRANKS. See Frank. FRANKTON. A parish in co. War- wick. ERASER. " Of the Norman origin of the Frasers it is impossil)le for a moment to entertain any doubt." Skene's Highlanders, ii. 311. Down to the reign of Robert Bruce they appear tohave remained in the southern counties of Scotland, though…”
— Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom