Franklins

Franklins is the plural form of Franklin, a name with English origins that can function as both a surname and a given name. The term has two primary historical threads: it originated as an occupational title in medieval England and later became a hereditary surname, while the given name Franklin rose in popularity in English-speaking countries.

As an occupation, a franklin was a free landowner of some standing in medieval society, positioned above common freemen but below the nobility. The word is derived from Old French and is linked to ideas of freedom and landholding. This occupational use contributed to the development of the surname Franklin, which spread beyond its original locality as families moved and established themselves in different regions.

As a given name, Franklin gained traction from the 18th century onward, partly due to prominent figures such as Benjamin Franklin, a leading statesman and polymath, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States. Over time, Franklin entered popular culture as a recognizable first name in addition to its continued use as a surname.

In modern usage, Franklins typically refer to multiple individuals who bear the surname or given name, or to groups or entities associated with the name. Notable people with the surname include Aretha Franklin, Rosalind Franklin, and Benjamin Franklin, among others. The name also appears in fiction and in various place names and institutions that carry Franklin as part of their titles, such as Franklin County or institutions named in honor of individuals named Franklin.

See also: Franklin (disambiguation) for related names and uses.