Surname Fritzmair - Meaning and Origin
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Fritzmair: What does the surname Fritzmair mean?
The last name Fritzmair is an occupational surname which originated in Austria. It is derived from a combination of the German words ‘Fried’ meaning ‘peace’ and ‘Zimmer’ which translates to ‘room’. Therefore, the surname means ‘peacekeeper’ and is likely derived from an occupation of a monastery peacemaker in the 12th century. It is possible that this occupation was held by a member of the first Fritzmair family, providing the name with a strong historical connection.
The Fritzmair surname is rare in its modern form, however it is closely associated with other surnames that use the same root words such as Freißmuth, Friedsam, Frieß, and Frick. It is also found in other European regions with similar variations, such as Fritscher in Bavaria and Friese in the Netherlands.
Due to its unique background, those who carry this surname can be proud to have a meaningful family connection that’s been passed down through centuries. The Fritzmair name has been present in Austrian, German, and other European countries since the middle ages, signifying a strong tradition that is lived on today.
Order DNA origin analysisFritzmair: Where does the name Fritzmair come from?
The last name Fritzmair is most commonly found in Austria. In fact, it ranks as the 5,637th most common name in Austria today. Fritzmair is particularly common in Tyrol and Carinthia—two of Austria's nine states. In those two states, it is estimated to have more than 800 bearers.
The name is believed to have originated in either Tyrol or Carinthia. It is most likely derived from the Middle High German word “fritze” which means peace, joy, or a festive mood. As such, the name is likely to have been used as an occupational name for a peaceful or festive messenger.
Outside of Austria, the name Fritzmair can be found in other parts throughout Europe, especially Germany and the surrounding countries, as well as in the United States. In the US, in particular, the name is relatively rare—only 881 individuals have the name in the entire country, with the majority of the bearers living in California, New York, and Texas. As such, the Fritzmair surname is a relatively uncommon one in the US.
Variations of the surname Fritzmair
The surname Fritzmair is derived from German, and various spellings and variants exist. Common derivatives of the surname Fritzmair include Frizmair, Frizmeier, Fritzmaier, Frizmeir, Fritzmeir, Fritzmeyer, Friedman, Fridman, Frydman, Freidman, and Freitag. Friedman is likely the most common variant due to its prevalence in the United States, where it retains its original spelling and pronunciation. The German form of the name is likely to be spelled Fritzmair, followed by Fritzmeier, and Frizmeier.
The origin of the surname Fritzmair is likely to have a low palatability. The origin likely dates back to the German word “frits” which means “little man”. This name may have been given to a small person or one who was perceived to be of a lower caste in relation to the rest of the family. It is believed that it arose when the name was adopted by a family who did not originate with the name.
Additionally, the surname Fritzmair may have originated from one of two likely sources. The first being the personal name Friedrich, which is composed of two German elements: fridu, meaning “peace”, and ric, meaning “ruler”. The second, being the German word “meer”, meaning “a marsh or lake”. There are also some who believe that the surname derived from a place name of a small Bavarian village, which happens to have the Fritzmair name.
It’s likely that the name was originally borne by one family, and that different spellings or variants were taken on by the different members of that family, possibly as a result of migration. It’s also possible that name may have been given to individuals who were unrelated to the original Fritzmair family. Regardless of how it came to be, the surname Fritzmair is an important part of many family histories and its prevalence and descendants remain today.
Famous people with the name Fritzmair
- Nicholas Fritzmair: award-winning fashion photographer who has collaborated with brands such as Adidas, G-Star RAW and L’Oreal
- Paul Fritzmair: Austrian alpine skier who competed in the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympic Games
- Günther Fritzmair: former director of the Graz Opera House and music director of the Graz Philharmonic Orchestra
- Fritzmair Kugler: German Impressionist painter
- Joe Fritzmair: former professional American ice hockey player
- Patricia Fritzmair: president of the Berlin Philharmonic
- Andi Fritzmair: professional ski mountaineer, endurance athlete, and European runner-up
- Erich Fritzmair: German fashion designer
- Konrad Fritzmair: former mayor of Graz
- Hermann Fritzmair: German graphic artist and typographer