Derived from the German and Dutch Folker or Folckers, the name means 'The descendent of Foleger' an early 8th Century personal name translating as 'People-Spear'. The name is recorded heraldically in Rietstap's Armorial General of The Nederlands, the Coat of Arms being a silver field charged with two serpents in green - the serpent being the ancient sign for wisdom. The plural of the name means 'The Son of Folcher' The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Johannes Folchers which was dated C. 1680, in the Provincial State of Holland during the reign of William 111 of Orange (The Stadtholder) 1650 - 1704 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.