Falconer-Taylor

This is an unusual combination of names, since both are occupational (job descriptive) although it can be viewed in the same way as the pre-medieval personal names, which were often compounds such as 'Arnkell', translating as 'ealge-cauldron'. As a whole the name has no specific meaning, though the individual parts have their own explanations. Here, 'Falconer' means someone who hunted with falcons, or who kept and trained them for the lord of the manor, a common feudal service. It could also be descriptive for someone who operated the siege gun known as a 'falcon'. Variant spellings are, Faulkner, Faulkenar and Falconar. 'Taylor' also spelt 'Tayler' and 'Tailyour' derives from the Anglo-French 'taillour' and means a 'tailor'. It is first recorded as Walter Taylur (1180 Cambridge). The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Falkenar. which was dated 1194, Curia Rolls of Wiltshire. during the reign of Richard I 'The Lionheart' 1189-1199. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.