Saints Names, British Names, English Names

English speaking countries

St. Francis is the patron saint of animals. He also founded the Franciscan monastic order.

The co-founder of the Jesuit order was St Francis Xavier.

There have been various rulers named Francis, including 2 Kings of France, 2 Holy Roman Emperors and 2 Dukes of Brittany. Franz Josef or Francis Joseph was the Emperor of Austria from 1848 until 1916 - the third longest reigning monarch in Europe. His reign saw the Crimean War, Austro-Prussian War and World War One. It was his son (Franz Ferdinand or Francis Ferdinand) whose assassination sparked World War One.

Other famous Francis' include the 16th century sailor and privateer Sir Francis Drake, who famously continued to play bowls when warned of the approach of the Spanish Armada and two Francis Bacons - a 16th century English statesman and scientist, and a 20th century painter.

Francis Ford Coppola is a film director, famous for the 'Godfather' films. Francis Galton was a 19th century scientist who promoted eugenics. Francis Poulenc was a French composer. Francis Walsingham was English Queen Elizabeth I's 'spymaster'.