Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Frances

      Origin

      Latin

      Meaning

      From France or Free

      Variations

      Francesca, Francesco, Francessca
      The name Frances can be traced back to its Latin origins and carries profound historical and cultural significance. Its etymology stems from the Latin word Franciscus, meaning from France, referring to its association with the country. Additionally, Frances shares its roots with the word franca, meaning free in Latin, which further reinforces the name's powerful symbolism.

      Throughout history, the name Frances has been woven into the fabric of many notable events and individuals. One of the most prominent bearers of this name was Saint Frances of Rome, a 15th-century religious figure renowned for her charitable acts and devotion to the poor. Another noteworthy figure was Frances Perkins, an influential American politician who played a pivotal role as the first female cabinet member in the United States, serving as the Secretary of Labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. These historical figures exemplify the strength and impact associated with the name Frances.

      Moving into modern times, the name Frances continues to be widely used and cherished. It has retained its timeless appeal and remains popular in many English-speaking countries. Frances McDormand, an acclaimed American actress, has received numerous accolades for her exceptional performances, including multiple Academy Awards. In addition, the name Frances has a touch of elegance that has resonated with many notable individuals in various fields, such as literature, fashion, and music. With its rich historical roots and contemporary appeal, the name Frances continues to leave an indelible mark in both historical records and the modern landscape.

      Based on our records...

      Smith

      Smith

      This is the most common surname associated with Frances.
      John

      John

      This is the most common name of those married to a Frances.
      John

      John

      This is the most common name for a child of a Frances.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1910 is when there were the most people born with the first name Frances.

      Explore the origins of another name.