The surname Franklyn is of English origin. It derives from the Middle English ‘frankeleyn’, freeman, which came to denote a member of a class of free holders who were not of noble birth. This is derived from the Norman French word ‘frank’, which means both free and Frankish. The connection between freemen and Franks is reflected in the Late Latin term ‘francalia’, originally denoting lands held by Franks, which came to mean lands not subject to taxes. The status of the franklin varied somewhat according to time and place in medieval England; in general he was a freeman and a holder of fairly extensive areas of land, a gentleman ranked above the main body of minor freeholders, but below a knight or a member of the nobility. The surname has also been borne by Jewish people as an anglicization of like sounding Hebrew names. No doubt the most famous American to bear this name is that of the statesman and scientist Benjamin Franklin ( 1706-90 ); as a given name it was also borne by President Franklin D. Rooselvelt ( 1882-1945 ). The name was brought to America by English immigrants. One of …
Coat of arms: Sable on a bend invicted between two martlets or, a dolphin hauriant proper, bet…