Surname Freibott - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Freibott: What does the surname Freibott mean?
The last name Freibott is of German origin and is derived from the words "Frei" meaning free, and "Bote" meaning messenger or herald. Freibott literally translates to “Free Messenger” and it is thought to have been a professional or occupational surname, handed down from father to son.
In the Middle Ages, heralds and messengers would often accompany knights on their travels and fulfill many duties, from delivering messages between courthouses to overseeing tournaments. As a result, many individuals from this profession adopted the name Freibott as their surname.
The name is still fairly common in both German-speaking countries and the United States, where it is spelled either Freibott or Freakbottom. Today, the term 'freibote' continues to be used in German law to refer to a messenger sent on official business.
Although the exact origin of the Freibott name is uncertain, it has been carried by individuals for centuries and is a reminder of the important service that their ancestors provided. As a result, those bearing the name may feel a sense of pride in knowing what it stands for, and they may even take comfort from it.
Order DNA origin analysisFreibott: Where does the name Freibott come from?
Today, the last name Freibott is most common in the United States, with a large number of people of German descent carrying the surname in multiple states. Freibott is derived from the German term ‘frei’, meaning ‘free’, and ‘bote’, which translates to ‘messenger’ or ‘envoy’. As such, the origin of the surname is thought to be a sign of nobility, as servants of noble families were known to have been given this title.
In the US, the last name Freibott is mainly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. In Pennsylvania, the surname is particularly prevalent in the larger cities and surrounding areas, such as Lancaster, Philadelphia, and its suburbs. Similarly, many Freibotts can be found in Ohio, particularly in the Cleveland and Columbus metropolitan areas. Lastly, New York is home to a large number of Freibotts, particularly in the New York City metropolitan region.
Outside of the United States, the last name Freibott can also be found in some parts of continental Europe, most notably in Germany and the surrounding countries. Freibott is quite a popular surname in Germany, and can be found all over its various regions, from the industrial Ruhr Valley to the Bavarian capital of Munich. The name can also be found in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and as far east as Belarus.
Altogether, the last name Freibott has become an integral part of many countries’ cultures, and its popularity is still growing.
Variations of the surname Freibott
The surname Freibott is a German surname, derived from the Old High German words ‘frithu’, meaning peace, and ‘boto’, meaning herald. It is first recorded in the year 1290, in the form of Fridbot. Since then, the surname has seen a variety of spellings and variants, all deriving from the original form.
The most common variants of Freibott include Freiboth, Freiebaur, Freybott, and Freybote. Less common variants include Frebota, Freibold, Freiboth, Freybotto, Freybute, Frebote, and Frybote.
There are also a number of surnames of similar origin that share some similarity to the main spelling of Freibott. These include Freibauer, Frabot, Freybohde, Freybutte, Feinbott, Frabaut, Fribault, Frabold, Frabott, Frybote, Firebote, and Firebott.
All of the variants and surnames mentioned, from Fridbot to Firebott, derive from the original Old High German form and its root words, which are ‘frithu’ and ‘boto’. Many of the spellings reflect a similar sound and meaning to the original, simply evolving in line with modern trends and local dialects, in order to become the forms of today.
Famous people with the name Freibott
- Christian Freibott: Former professional footballer in Germany and former president of the German Football Association.
- Robert Freibott: WWII Hero and former member of the US Air Force.
- Frona Eunice Wait Freibott: American ecologist and botanist who was the first woman to receive a Doctorate of Science degree from Harvard University.
- Dr. Robert J. Freibott: Professor of Management, International Business, and Strategy at the University of Alabama's Culverhouse College of Business.
- Julie Freibott: Actress who has had roles in multiple television shows and films, such as The Vampire Diaries and NCIS.
- Carl Freibott: Member of the Texas legislature and a veteran of the United States Army.
- Nancy Freibott: Author and historian, specializing in the history of New York state.
- Sachiko Freibott: Japanese ice dancer who competed in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Peter Freibott: German painter and sculptor.
- Harald Freibott: Former executive of Xerox and founder of Oberon Media.