franklin

From Middle English frankelein (“freeholder”), from Anglo-Norman fraunclein (“a landowner of free, but not noble birth”), from fraunc (“free”), from Frankish *Frank (“freeman”) + -lein (“-ling”), from Frankish *-linc (“-ling”), from Proto-Germanic *-lingaz. Cognate with Old High German Franko (“Frank”), Old High German -ling (“-ling”). More at frank, -ling.

• IPA^(key): /ˈfɹæŋklɪn/

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franklin (plural franklins)

1. (obsolete except historical) A freeholder, especially as belonging to a class of landowners in the 14th and 15th century ranking below the gentry.