Surname Friedrichsmeyer - Meaning and Origin

Friedrichsmeyer: What does the surname Friedrichsmeyer mean?

The last name Friedrichsmeyer is a German surname of patronymic origin meaning "son of Friedrich". It can be traced back to a period in history in which many Germans adopted the patronymic naming system to identify themselves.

The prefix "Friedrich" was derived from the Germanic name “Frithurik” which meant "peaceful ruler". Descendants of Friedrichsmeyer, will likely find that their ancestor was a forefather whose life was focused on maintaining peace.

The name would likely have been given to a son born to a father named Friedrich. It is possible that there was a respected member of the community or a ruler who went by the name or perhaps the bearers of the name were related to each other through the ancestors’ shared love of the name Friedrich.

Friedrichsmeyer is less common today compared to the more modern variations or nicknames such as Fred, Fritz or Ric. Bearers of the name may be related by blood or by study of genealogy, yet at the very least can take pride in the strong connection their surname has to the Germanic word "Frithurik".

Friedrichsmeyer: Where does the name Friedrichsmeyer come from?

The last name Friedrichsmeyer is most commonly found in Germany and some areas of the United States, specifically descendants of German emigres to the US. The name originated in the German language as a combination of two words, 'Friedrich', meaning 'peace', and 'Meyer', meaning 'farmer'. It is likely to have originally been given to a man who farmed his land in peace and prosperity.

In Germany, Friedrichsmeyers are found mainly in the western parts of the country, especially in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is also common in the neighbouring countries of Austria and the Czech Republic. There are also traces of the surname in the United States, but it is much less common. It is seen in the northern and midwestern states such as Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, as well as Pennsylvania, primarily among descendants of German immigrants who arrived during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, Friedrichsmeyer is an increasingly rare last name. It is still seen occasionally, but not nearly as common as one hundred years ago. The current population of Friedrichsmeyers in Germany and the United States is estimated to be somewhere around 4,000 people.

Variations of the surname Friedrichsmeyer

Friedrichsmeyer is a German surname. It is derived from the personal name 'Friedrich', which is composed of elements meaning 'peace' and 'ruler'. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Friedrichsmeyer include Friedriechsmeyer, Friederichsmeyer, Fredrichsmeyer, Friedrichmeyer, Frerichsmeyer, Freidrichsmeyer, Freidrichmeyer, and Fridrichsmeyer.

The Friedrichsmeyer family may have also existed under Frankish or French spellings. Variations on the surname could include Fridericusmeyer, Frederyckmeyer, Freydrikmeyer, Fredricsmeyer, Frideerickmeyer, Fredreickmeyer, Frederikmeyer, or Fredrikmeyer.

In addition, other alternative surnames derived from the original Friedrichsmeyer include Freidricks, Friedrichs, Fridrichs, Friederichs, Frerichs, Friedricks, and Fridricks. Patronymic surnames may have been adopted by some branches of the Friedrichsmeyer family in the Middle Ages, such as Friedrickson, Friederichsen, Frerichsen, Freidricksen, Fridricksen, Fredricksen, Friedriechsen, Fredrichsen, or Frederickse.

Since some branches of the family migrated to other countries, alternative spellings have likely evolved in those countries as well. For instance, the name could appear as Friedrichsmayr in Austria, Switzerland and northern Italy, Friedrichemeyer in the Netherlands, Fredricksmaier in Russia, and Friedman in Belarus.

Famous people with the name Friedrichsmeyer

• Ernst Friedrichsmeyer: German oceanographer (1910–1991)
• John Friedrichsmeyer: US politician (1850–1929)
• Christian Friedrichsmeyer: Swedish statesman (1741–1820)
• Friedrich Friedrichsmeyer: German painter (1766–1814)
• Rudy Friedrichsmeyer: American politician (1862–1928)
• August Friedrichs Meyer: German metallurgist, chemist, and writer (1789–1878)
• Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst Friedrichsmeyer: German doctor and zoologist (1808–1875)
• Carl Friedrichsmeyer: German physician and botanist (1790–1838)
• Fred Friedrichsmeyer: American politician (1913–1987)
• Gottlob Friedrichsmeyer: German painter and etcher (1731–1794)

Other surnames

Friedrichsmeier