Surname Frihauf - Meaning and Origin
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Frihauf: What does the surname Frihauf mean?
The last name Frihauf is of German origin and is a habitational surname associated with the town of Frihauf, located in the Franconia region of Germany. Frihauf translates to “free hold” or “free farmstead” in German, as it was historically home to free farmers who were not beholden to anyone outside the town.
The Freihold or Frihauf family is an ancient one, with origins probably dating back to the early middle ages (5th-9th century). It is likely that the family was among the earliest settlers of this area. During the 1500's, the Frihauf family migrated from Germany to other parts of Europe, such as Bohemia.
From Bohemia the Frihauf family migrated to the United States, possibly arriving in New York City in 1750. The families likely settled in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other parts of the mid-Atlantic region. With the American Revolution, some of the Frihauf families moved further west; eventually settling in the Midwest.
The Frihauf last name is very uncommon in the United States, with only a few thousand having it as their last name. It is most common in Germany, although a few hundred individuals can be found in other countries, particularly the United Kingdom.
Those with the last name Frihauf will likely be proud of its history, as it represents the journey of a family from Germany to the United States and its settlement in the Midwest. It is likely that the individuals with this name will be very proud of their roots, as the Frihauf last name is a unique reminder of their family’s journey to freedom.
Order DNA origin analysisFrihauf: Where does the name Frihauf come from?
The last name Frihauf is quite common in Europe, especially in Germany. It is thought to be derived from the Germanic 'fridolf' (noble wolf), and the Old High German 'houbit', which means a small house. The name is likely derived from the combination of those two elements.
The surname is still very popular in Germany, according to the Kleines Deutsches Namenslexikon (Small German Name Dictionary). Areas in the north-east bordering the Czech Republic and Poland, and the southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg are the most common locations for the name.
In addition, the surname is also common in Europe outside of Germany. It is found in Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Romania, Slovakia, and Greece, as well as Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and the Czech Republic. Many of these locations have pockets of the surname that are concentrated in smaller areas, such as in French-Swiss speaking areas.
In the U.S., the surname is much less common but can be found in small pockets in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, New Jersey and Colorado. This may be due to European immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Overall, the surname Frihauf is still quite common in parts of Europe and the U.S., and its origin can be traced back to Germany.
Variations of the surname Frihauf
The surname Frihauf has various spellings and variants. Possible alternate forms of the name include Frihawf, Frihauff, Frihaff, and Frehauf. It is likely that all of these spellings are derived from the same root.
Originally, the Frihauf surname is of German or Swiss-German origin and it is derived from the German "fruh" which means early, or morning. It was used to describe someone who was an early riser or had a habit of waking up early in the morning.
In the United States, the surname is sometimes used as a variation of the German sealed surname, or Unterschlager, such as Friedauer, Fresauer, Fruhauf or Frehauf. It is also sometimes used as a variant of the Dutch word Froehlich, meaning happy, or good-natured.
In other countries, the name can take on various pronunciations. In German-speaking countries, it is often pronounced "Fry-howf" or "Free-howf". In French-speaking countries, the name may also appear as Friauf or Freyauf. Furthermore, in Eastern Europe, the name may also take the forms of Prihov or Prihovets.
Regardless of the particular spelling, all forms of the name Frihauf refer to the same origin. Over time, it has evolved into multiple variations, as immigrants moved to different countries and with the passage of time the spelling changed. As a result, a variety of unrelated families could have taken on the many forms of the surname.
Famous people with the name Frihauf
- Corina Frihauf: German actress and RTL presenter.
- Richard Frihauf: American disc jockey and radio host.
- Hector Frihauf: professional golfer from Argentina.
- Brennan Frihauf: actor best known for his roles in films like “Till Death Us Do Part” and “The Final Credits”.
- Jakob Frihauf: Austrian boxer and kickboxer.
- Nils Frihauf: German director, editor, and motion designer.
- Linda Frihauf: Norwegian Paralympic alpine skier.
- Tony Frihauf: American film and television actor.
- Jens Frihauf: German author and translator.
- Steve Frihauf: American football running back.