Surname Friesse - Meaning and Origin
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Friesse: What does the surname Friesse mean?
The surname Friesse is a German or Dutch surname that has a variety of possible origins. It is thought to be the German form of the English surname Fry, which originated from Middle English frȝ, meaning “turf” or “low-lying sandy ground” and ultimately derived from Old English frige, meaning “peace”. The surname is also thought to be derived from the Dutch and German word fries, meaning “Frisian”, referring to the region in northern Netherlands and Germany.
The surname Friesse appears to have been first recorded in its current spelling in the Netherlands in 1519. Records from the region show that the name spread from the Netherlands to Germany fairly rapidly, appearing in documents from Germany prior to 1550. Over time, the many variants of the surname Friesse also evolved, such as Frieze, Freese, and Freisse.
In addition to being a name of Germanic origin, the surname Friesse has also been used by Jewish populations. Many Jewish families who came to Germany, France, and the Netherlands during the 16th century often adopted the surname Friesse or one of its variants as a way to fit into the local population.
Today, the surname Friesse is generally considered to be an ethnic surname. It is predominately found in Germany, the Netherlands, and the bordering regions of France, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland.
Order DNA origin analysisFriesse: Where does the name Friesse come from?
The last name Friesse is most common in Germany and Eastern Europe today. It is also commonly found in parts of Western Europe as well. The earliest instance of the name is found in 13th century documents, and it was likely derived from the German word "friesen" meaning "sea-coast dweller". The origin of the Friesse surname is linked closely to parts of the Baltic Sea rim, including the Netherlands, as well as northern Germany and the Pomeranian area of what is today Poland. The Friesse name is likely a patronymic, or name derived from a father's name, and is most likely regional in origin.
Today, the surname Friesse is still quite common in Germany. It is the 490th most common surname in the country, though the numbers vary significantly when broken down by region. For example, it is more common in the Former East Germany (formerly East Prussia, Silesia and Brandenburg) than in other parts of the country, ranking 152nd there. It is also common in the Netherlands, ranking 561st in the country. In Poland, the surname is not as common, ranking 10,209th. In both the United States and United Kingdom, it is still a relatively rare name, ranking 213,135th and 234,299th respectively.
Variations of the surname Friesse
The surname Friesse originated from the Northern region of Europe, where it is most commonly associated with Germany, Luxembourg, and Holland. Variants of this surname include Friess, Fryss, Friess, Friz, Freese, and Frees. Spellings of the surname Friesse could include the alternate spellings Friez, Fryzz, Freed, Freyss, Fraisse, Freese, Frise, and Frease.
The surname Friesse is thought to have derived from a Germanic source, meaning “handsome” or “brave.” Some variants of this surname, such as Friess, could come from the Old High German word, friso meaning “free man.” The surname Freese is thought to come from the Germanic name Friduwulf, meaning “peaceful wolf.” In Luxembourg, the surname Friesse is derived from the word fried, meaning “divinely peaceful.”
Other variants of the surname Friesse include names such as Friesser, Freisser, Friesner, Freisner, Frieman, Friedman, Freyman, Fryman, and Freiman. Alternate spellings of this name include Friz, Freese, and Frees. Surnames that are derived from the original Friesse surname include Freese, Friess, Freese, Fryssen, Friez, Frise, Friesen, Freesen, and Freyssen.
Similar surnames include Frey, Fry, and Fray, which have their own distinct etymologies and meanings. The surname Freese is still relatively common in Germany, while Friess is more commonly found in Luxemburg. The surname Friesse is still relatively common in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as other parts of Europe.
Famous people with the name Friesse
- Roman Friesen: A former dancer and Choreographer for Deutsche Oper Berlin.
- Kurt Friese: An executive chef and restaurateur in Iowa City, Iowa, who publishes a quarterly magazine, The Local Palate. 3. John Friesse: An American actor known for roles in House, Law & Order, and Glee.
- Max Friese: A German publishing company executive.
- Christina Friese: A German long-distance runner who has competed in multiple World and European Championships.
- Chris Friese: A retired American soccer forward who played professional in the USISL.
- Angie Friese: An Australian flatwater canoer who has competed since the mid-90s.
- Ann C. Friese: The former mayor of Beaverton, Oregon.
- Lauren Friese: The co-founder and CEO of Talentegg, Canada's leading job portal and career network for university and college students.
- Frederikke Friese: A Danish field hockey player who was part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.