From the office of 'falconer' (OF. Faulconnier, LL. falconarius, one who breeds or trains falcons or hawks for sport). Matheus the falconer (falconarius) is one of the witnesses to a charter by Earl David, c. 1202—3 LAC., 3). Gulielmus Auceps, i.e. William the falconer, c. 1200, granted certain lands to the kirk of Maringtun or Maryton (RAA., I, 114; Fraser, History of Laurencekirk, p. 36). In the vernacular he may have borne the name Hawker, for while his descendants have retained the name Falconer their estate ('villa eiusdem Willelmi Aucipis') was known as Haukertun or Haukerstun. Robert le Faukener or Fauconer of Kincardyn en Miernes rendered homage at Aberdeen, 1296. His seal bears a falcon killing a small bird and S' Roberti Faucunur (Bain, II, p. 182,209). Gervase or German le Fauconer was one of the Scots prisoners taken at Dunbar in 1296, and was still prisoner in the Castle of Wisbeach, 1307 (ibid., p. 178,515). Heliscus Faucuner, burgess of Montrose, had a charter of lands in Monros (Montrose), 1350 (REB., II, 6), and in 1379 there is record of payment made to William Fauconer, Scottish merchant, arrested in Yarmouth (Bain, IV, 275). Andrew Faucounere de Lethinvar on inquisition in 1380 in Badenoch (REM., p. 187) is probably Andreas Fawconer, juror on inquest in the episcopal lands of Aldrochty, 1393 (REM., p. 205). William Falconer (1732—1769), sailor and poet, and Hugh Falconer (1808—1865), botanist and palaeontologist, are two of the more prominent of the name. Falcener 1793, Falconair 1526, Falknar (of Hakartoun) 1544, Falknor 1574 Fauknar 1468 Favconer 1365, Fawcounar 1459.

An English name numerous in Ulster, occasionally recorded as a synonym of Fealy or Falvey in Kerry. The usual spelling in Co. Derry is Faulkner. Bibl

One who pursued the sport of falconry, so much admired in the middle ages, when a patrician was recognised by "his horse, his hawk, and his greyhound." Kings and great men kept a state falconer, and in such estimation was the office held in Norman times that Domesday Book shews us four different tenants-in-chief besides others who are described each as Accipitrarius-hawker, or falconer. Even at the present time the Duke of St. Albans holds the office of Hereditary Grand Falconer of England; and a late possessor of the title made an unsuccessful attempt to reinstate the sport, which, however picturesque, is not exactly adapted to these days of minie-rifles and long-shots.

The family are descended from Walter de Lenorp, whose son Ranulph was Falconer to William the Lion; they bear a falcon in their arms.