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The term Frank in eastern Mediterranean countries was used, in various vernacular forms, to denote the Crusaders and their descendants, and the American surname may also be an Americanized form of such a form.English, Dutch, German, etc.: from the personal name Frank, in origin an ethnic name for a Frank.
Origin of the name Francis: From Franceis, and Old French form of the Italian Francesco, which is from the Middle Latin Franciscus (a Frenchman). Franciscus is derived from Francus (a Frank, a freeman), which has its root in the Old French franc (free).From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman.Buy the book.rom Franceis, and Old French form of the Italian Francesco, which is from the Middle Latin Franciscus (a Frenchman). Franciscus is derived from Francus (a Frank, a freeman), which has its root in the Old French franc (free). From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the book.