Falcon
A surname from the bird name “falcon,” often used as a nickname for someone thought swift, fierce, or hawk-like.
The #2,398 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 20,413 Americans shares it.
Etymology
This surname comes from the bird name falcon, ultimately from Latin falco, meaning “falcon” or “hawk.” In medieval English and French, it could be used as a nickname for someone thought to resemble the bird in speed, sharpness, or temperament. Some historical writers also note its association with falconry and the use of bird names as bynames.
History
Medieval records show forms like le Falcon, suggesting an early nickname surname in England. The name may also have been reinforced by falconry, a prestige sport in which bird names became common surnames and bynames. Related spellings and surname forms such as Falken and Fawcon appear in older records, and the name has remained relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The falcon was such a familiar medieval badge and symbol that it could work both as a real bird-name surname and as a heraldic or occupationally colored nickname.
From the historical record
“SHINE (Celt.) the Irish Seighin, a dim. of Ir. s^igh = Falcon, Hawk [Ir. dim. suff. in] Not, however, without confusion with the Ir. seighion, ' champion.' SHINER (Eng.) a nickname or occupati ve name”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)