Forms: 3 francoleyn, 4 fraunkeleyn, 4–6 frank(e)le(i)n, -(e)leyn, (4 fran(c)kelain, -layn(e, 5 franklon), 6–9 fran(c)klin(g, -lyn(g, 6– franklin. [First recorded as Anglo-L. franc-colanus, francalanus, franchelanus (12–13th c.); it appears as AF. fraunclein a. 1307 (Du Cange, s.v. Franchilanus). The ultimate formation is clearly from med.L. francus, OF. franc FRANK a.2; but the process of formation is somewhat obscure.
The suffix is usually supposed to represent the OHG. -linc, -LING. This is possible, but the analogy of CHAMBERLAIN is not quite conclusive, as there is no trace of an OHG. *franclinc or Lat. *franclingus, nor on the other hand does L. *camerlānus appear. Possibly francalānus may be f. the adj. francālis ‘having the rights of a freeman,’ f. francus. The earliest spelling franccolanus suggests that the word was in 1200 supposed to be a compound.]
† 1. A freeman. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5373 (Cott.).
| First he was here als our thain | |
| Bot now es he for ai franckelain. |
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. XIX. 38.
| And þo þat bicome Crysten · by conseille of þe baptiste, | |
| Aren frankeleynes, fre men. |
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 177/1. Frankeleyne, libertinus.
2. A freeholder; in 14–15th c. the designation of a class of landowners, of free but not noble birth, and ranking next below the gentry.
[1200. Rotuli Chartarum, 43/1. Unam carrucatam terrae apud Hamerwich cum villanis et franchelano. Ibid., 82/1. Omnia feuda militum et franccolanorum qui tenent de eodem monasterio.
a. 1300. Vit. Har. Reg. (1885), 34. A duobus ut fertur mediocribus viris quos francalanos sive agricolas voccant agnitus.]
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 36.
| For wel may a symple Francoleyn in mysese hym so bringe | |
| Of lutel lond, wan þer fel such of a kyng. |
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 239.
| No oþer lorde stoute, ne fraunkeleyn of toun, | |
| Tille holy kirke salle gyue tenement. |
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 215.
| Ful wel biloved and famulier was he | |
| With frankeleyns over al in his cuntré. |
c. 1460. J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, 1071.
| Marchaundes & Franklonȝ, worshipfulle & honorable, | |
| þey may be set semely at a squyers table. |
1528. Roy, Rede me (Arb.), 100.
| Which one or two ryche francklyngis | |
| Occupyinge a dosen mens lyvyngis. |
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. x. 6.
| But entred in a spacious court they see, | |
| Both plaine, and pleasant to be walked in, | |
| Where them does meete a francklin faire and free. |
1618–29. App., in Rushw., Hist. Coll. (1659), I. 17. To make Gentlemen of low quality, and Francklines, and rich Farmers, Esquires, to precede them, would yield your Majesty also a great sum of money in present.
1653. Moufet & Bennet, Health’s Improv. (1746), 340. The Franklin’s Bread of England is counted most nourishing.
1659. Howell, Lexicon, To the Knowingest Kind of Philologers. Proverbs may be called the truest Franklins or Freeholders of a Countrey; They have no other parent but the people, being Traditionall Sayings, Precepts and Memorandums.
1843. Lytton, Last Bar., IV. v. His dress was that of a substantial franklin.
† 3. Applied allusively to: A liberal host. Cf. FRANK a.2 2. Obs.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., II. 31/1. To purchase the name of a sumptuous frankelen or a good viander.
1727. Somerville, Officious Messenger, 72.
| No Franklin carving of a Chine | |
| At Christide, ever look’d so fine. |
