Derived from the Olde French "fauche" but originally from the latin "Falca", the surname is occupational and denotes one who mowes or reaps, or was a maker or seller of scythes and sickles. The name was first recorded (in France) as Faucheux, Lefaucher or Lefauques, the place of origin being generally Picardy or Normandy. The usual English variant spelling is Faucher or Foucher. These being shortened versions of Fouchereau or Foucheron. In the case of the first recorded name holder, he was the son of Claude Foucheran and Marie Coupe, recorded as being French Huguenot. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Pierre Foucheran, which was dated 1761, christened at Threadneedle Street Chapel, London, during the reign of King George III, "Farmer George", 1760 - 1820. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.