Flather Family History

of uncertain origin. In 19th-century Yorks dialect flather had the sense ‘flattery nonsense palaver’ (English Dialect Dictionary); it is probably a reduced form of Middle English Old French flaterie ‘flattery’.

If the change in consonant from t to th occurred in Middle English, it is possible that the surname represents Middle English flater flatour (Old French flateor) ‘flatterer’ but more evidence is needed to support this explanation.