Surname Friess - Meaning and Origin
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Friess: What does the surname Friess mean?
Friess is a surname of German origin. Its original meaning is not entirely clear, as it could be derived from various sources. It might originate from the Middle High German word "vriese," which translates to "Frisian," a person from Friesland, a coastal region along the southeastern corner of the North Sea. Alternatively, it could be a patronymic name stemming from the first name "Friedrich," in which case it would mean "son of Friedrich." Furthermore, it could be an occupational surname for a man who dealt in fritters or pancakes, from the Middle High German "vriez," which means "fritter." Therefore, the meaning of the last name "Friess" could depend on the family's historical background and lineage.
Order DNA origin analysisFriess: Where does the name Friess come from?
The surname Friess originated in Germany, specifically from the region of Bavaria, where it was first used during the Middle Ages. The name "Friess" is a derivative of the Middle High German word "vriese" which refers to a 'frisian', thus it’s a geographical surname for someone from Friesland, a coastal region along the North Sea spread across the Netherlands and Germany.
In the present day, the surname Friess is not very common. However, it can still be found in some parts of the world, most prevalently in the United States of America. Other regions where the surname can be found, albeit in lesser numbers, include Germany, France, and Switzerland. Additionally, it can also be seen in some regions of Canada and Australia.
Variations of the surname Friess
The surname Friess is often of German origin and is believed to have derived from the first name Friedrich or Frederick, or possibly from the Middle High German word 'vriese', meaning 'Frisian'. This implies that the original bearers of the surname may have been Frisians by origin or perhaps resembled Frisians in their attributes.
The surname has several variants due to geographical distribution, different dialects, and spelling changes over the centuries. Variations and spellings include Fries, Freese, Freess, Freis, Fresse, Frisse, and Friese. Other versions could be Fresen, Friesz, Freesz, Friesen, Frieser, Friesner, and perhaps even Frieze or Friesel.
Surnames of similar origin include Friedrich and Frederick, which are also common Germanic names. Due to phonetic similarities, it can even include names like Freeze or Freezer.
It must be noted that the surnames could have developed independently in different locations, so not all individuals carrying these surnames may necessarily have a common ancestor. The exact number of variations is difficult to estimate due to the complexities of language and historical record-keeping.
Famous people with the name Friess
- Steve Friess: He is an American journalist and author, working in various forms of media for over a decade including stint on People magazine as senior writer.
- Foster Friess: He was an American businessman and supporter of conservative Christian causes. As a philanthropist, he's particularly known for backing Rick Santorum’s bid for Republican presidential nomination in 2012.
- Scott Friess: He is a well-noted cross-country skier who competed for the United States in the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Justin Friess: He is a renowned American athlete who competes in the sport of triathlon.
- Lynne Friess: As the wife of the late Foster Friess, she became a notable figure through involvement in her husband's philanthropic efforts.
- Carrie Friess: She is the daughter of Foster Friess known for her philanthropic conducts, primarily through the family foundation. Please note that these individuals have achieved varying levels of fame and notoriety, some are more renowned in their respective fields whereas others are known primarily within certain circles or regions.