Meaning: Its source is a French expression meaning "Faithful."

Cities called Fayetteville in a number of states may have influenced the use of this name. All those cities were named after the French Marquis de Lafayette who joined the American army during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

Narrative: The meaning of this famous French surname is not certain. It could refer to the craft of pottery (in French, faience), or to craftsmanship generally (as in the French verb faire).

However, no meaning could be better than ''faithful'' to describe the French aristocrat who risked his life in the cause of American liberty. Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, le Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834), by his efforts as a military leader in the American Revolution, helped to forge a strong bond between Americans and his fellow Frenchmen.

That bond remained associated with him long after his death. This was demonstrated upon the arrival of U.S. forces to fight with France in WWI. American General John J. Pershing announced, ''Lafayette, we are here!''