Surname Faulls - Meaning and Origin

Faulls: What does the surname Faulls mean?

The last name Faulls is of German origin, likely stemming from the Middle German word “Vual” or “fahl” which translates to “pale” or “sallow”. Over time, this morphed into Faull, an occupational name for someone who worked in the wool trade or with felt, another material related to wool.

Many Faull families can be traced back to the 1600s in the region now known as Germany, when it was divided into hundreds of small territories. Over time, these Faulls migrated to other parts of Europe and the rest of the world.

Today, Faulls is still an uncommon name, although it’s not unheard of. According to records, Faull is currently most common in Ireland and the United Kingdom, followed by Canada and the United States.

Given its long history as a wool-working name, the etymology of Faulls is both ancient and fascinating. It’s a testament to the fact that surnames, far more than first names, are rooted in our ancestors’ livelihoods and places of origin.

Faulls: Where does the name Faulls come from?

The last name Faulls is most common in the United Kingdom, where it originated. The Faull family is believed to have developed in south Wales, and the name is most prevalent in the English counties of Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset. According to the website for surname studies, Faull is an old Welsh surname that has essentially been spelled "Fowles" since the 16th century.

Faulls is found more sparsely in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. It is also found in South Africa, especially in the Eastern Cape, Ciskei region. In the United States, the name is not as common but there are some areas with greater prevalence, such as in the Carolinas, Texas, and southern California.

Many surnames were modified in the 1600s and 1700s as immigrants often spelled names however they were popularly accepted by the public. For this reason, Faulls may occasionally be seen as Foul, Fowles, Fowle, Fowbl, Fawl, Fall, or Foulle.

The Faulls name appears to have a strong presence in the United Kingdom and its former colonies, suggesting that the surname was brought over by English immigrants sometime in the early 17th or 18th century. While not extremely common, the name is still widely used today, mostly in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and various parts of the U.S.

Variations of the surname Faulls

The surname Faulls has been spelt in many different ways over time. It has been connected to several spellings and surnames such as Faule, Fowles, Falles, Fauls, Fawl, Fawell and Falles, as well as some other variants like Faulle.The name Faulls is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word ‘fangol’ meaning ‘foreign’.

The following are some of the different spellings and surnames of the same origin like Faulls:

Faule: It is an alternative spelling of Faol, a nickname for someone of a foreign origin. This name originated from the Old English word “fangol” which means “foreign”.

Fowles: It is derived from the Old English word “fugol” meaning “bird” and “fugol-wylle” meaning “falcon traffic”. It was originally given as a nickname referring to the person’s skill at catching birds.

Falles: It is believed to have its origin in the Middle English word “fauls” which means “strong”. It would have been given to a person known for their strength or fortitude,

Fauls: It is an alternate spelling of Fowles. It has its origin in the Old English phrase “fugol” and “fugol-wylle”.

Fawl: It is derived from the Middle English word “faule” which means “fatal” or “unfortunate”. It could have referred to a person known for their unlucky circumstances.

Fawell: It is an alternate spelling of Fauls, which has its origin in the Old English word “fugol” and “fugol-wylle”. It was also originally given as a nickname referring to someone’s skill at bird-catching.

Falles: It is an alternate spelling of Faulls or Fauls. It has its origin in the Middle English “fauls” which means “strong” and could have referred to a person noted for their strength or fortitude.

Faulle: It is an alternate spelling of Faulls which means “foreign” and is derived from old English “fangol”. It would have been given to a person of foreign origin.

Famous people with the name Faulls

• Brendan Faulls: a British screenwriter known for his work on BBC’s “Casualty” and ITV's “Law & Order: UK.
• Richard Faulls: a British high jumper and Olympic athlete who participated in the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• William Henry Faulls: a Canadian author of identity-driven fiction and non-fiction works.
• John Faulls: an American real estate developer.
• Thomas Faulls: a British comedy writer, best known for his work on “George and the Dragon” and “King Maggot’s Carnival”.
• Harry Faulls: an Australian actor most famous for his work in “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”.
• Peter Faulls: a British actor known for his roles in “The Winter’s Tale”, “Macbeth”, and “The Merchant of Venice”.
• Jonathan Faulls: an English artist and sculptor based in London.
• Sandra Faulls: an Australian artist and talented dressmaker, known for her intricate garments.
• Victoria Faulls: a British landscape photographer with a special interest in exploring "rarely seen" places in the UK.

Other surnames

Faull