Surname Fredel - Meaning and Origin
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Fredel: What does the surname Fredel mean?
The last name Fredel is of German origin and is derived from the Old German personal name “Fridel” which can be translated to mean “peaceful ruler”. This is likely referring to someone who was a leader in some capacity, such as a local village chief or ruler. It is also possible that it was used as a noble title to signify someone with a benevolent leadership quality.
In Germany, Fredel is a relatively uncommon surname and was primarily found in northern Germany, in particular the region of Bavaria. Other variants of the name in German include Fredl and Frödl. The name is less common today, likely because so many of the Fredels emigrated to other countries.
In the United States, Fredel is still a relatively rare surname, accounting for only 0.001% of the population. Most of the people bearing the name are located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and California, which is not surprising due to the large numbers of German immigrants who settled in these states.
The Fredel name is associated with being hardworking and honest; qualities that likely served the family well when they had to start new lives in a new country. It also has connotations of peace and security, characteristics that were likely very important to them while establishing their roots in a new place. Ultimately, the Fredel name stands as a testament to the strength and fortitude of German immigrants who were able to overcome adversity and carve out successful futures for their families.
Order DNA origin analysisFredel: Where does the name Fredel come from?
The last name Fredel is most commonly found today in Germany and its surrounding regions. Fredel has Germanic origins, giving it roots not only in Germany, but also in Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. It is also found in several eastern European countries, including Belarus, Lithuania, and Poland.
Fredel originated in the 13th century, a time when people often took the name of their place of origin or occupation as their last name. As some areas of Germany were large centers of trade, it is likely that Fredel was taken by someone working in a merchant profession.
The last name Fredel is often confused with the last names Friedel and Freidel, which both have similar spellings. Despite the small differences, however, they are not related surnames.
Fredel is generally more common in rural areas near Germany's northern coast. The region is also home to a large number of immigrants and descendants of those who emigrated in the 19th century. As a result, the last name Fredel can also be found in sizeable populations abroad, with people living in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Variations of the surname Fredel
The surname Fredel is derived from the Germanic root Frithuwulf, meaning “peaceful wolf”. It is a combination of the two words frithu (peace) and wulf (wolf). The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Fredel include Frethel, Fridel, Fridelle, Frethill, Frethiele, Fretzel, Freathyel, Frittel, Fritel, Fridl, Fritthal, Fretyell, Frithel, Frithell, Fritsch, Frethil, Frethyel, Frethel, Frethell, Frethull, Fritche, Frithill, Frithul, Frithell, and Fritschl.
Fredel as a surname began as a patronymic byname originally given to a person whose father’s name was Frederick (a variant of the toponymic surname Fritz). In some cases, the surname was used to denote a peaceful person (someone who had a calming presence or was non-confrontational in nature). Other times the surname was given to a person descended from a noble family with the name of Fritz or Frederick as their ancestral name.
Several variations of the name existed, due to common customs that occurred while the German language progressed over time. During the Middle Ages, it became customary for surnames to be altered slightly when documents were written in other languages. This often left the change of spelling up to the individual scribe who was adapting the name. In addition, certain dialects may have led to slightly different versions of the word, such as Frittel or Fritsch.
Famous people with the name Fredel
- Charles Fredel: He is a German footballer who has played for such clubs as Borussia Dortmund and VfB Stuttgart.
- Marleen Fredel: A German rower who competed in the 2012 London Olympics.
- Julius Fredel: A renowned German psychiatrist, he was the director of the psychiatric clinic at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt.
- Fredel Walker: An American actor who made his Broadway debut in 2002 and has appeared in such films as Usual Suspects and Collateral Damage.
- Franz Fredel: A German art dealer known for purchasing now-iconic works by Rembrandt and van Gogh.
- Manfred Fredel: A German writer and director, he won the Perspectives Award for his film We at the End.
- Ginger Fredel: An American singer-songwriter, she has performed at various festivals and released her first EP in 2018.
- Karl Fredel: He was an Austrian composer of classical music who left his mark on Vienna's modern cultural landscape.
- Jakob Fredel: A Swiss entrepreneur, he founded the Swiss electrical engineering company Mink Fredel AG.
- Anton Fredel: A German banker and producer, he was the founder of Anton Fredel & Co. banking house in Munich.