Surname Fritzges - Meaning and Origin
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Fritzges: What does the surname Fritzges mean?
The last name Fritzges is of German origin, originating from the name Friedrich. The name was derived from the German word “fridu” meaning “peace” and “Gez” meaning “protection”, representing the peaceful protection of family and friends. Thus, the name originates from a phrase meaning “protector of peace”.
The surname is often rendered as “Fritzges”, but it can also be recorded as Fritzges, Fritzgez, or Fritzes. It is found particularly in the Baden-Württemberg region of Germany but there are also people with the surname in other European countries.
In the United States the surname is mainly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa. It is believed that the Fritzges surname was transported to America by a group of German emigrants who left Germany around 1750.
Fritzges is a rarity as a surname, but those who do carry it proudly carry the legacy of the name’s origins. It serves to remind us that at the heart of all families is the principle of peace and protection. For those who bear the name it is also a call to honor those principles and support one another as a family in times of distress.
Order DNA origin analysisFritzges: Where does the name Fritzges come from?
The last name Fritzges is a relatively uncommon name found primarily in Germany today. Records of the name date back to the 16th century, when it was in use around Akâlach, Germany in the 16th century before becoming more widespread throughout the Rhineland area. Today, the majority of people with the Fritzges surname are located in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is most commonly found in the cities of Munich, Berlin, and Cologne in Germany.
Its origins are thought to be from a word in a German dialect that translates to "free," which could explain why the name was likely used by freed slaves in the area to identify themselves. The Fritzges name was used primarily as a patronymic, meaning that those with the surname were descended from the original Fritzges ancestor.
There are also smaller populations of Fritzges households throughout England, Belgium, Denmark, and the United States. Most of the American Fritzges families can trace their lineage back to Germany, with some families coming directly from Rhineland and others having moved over during later periods of immigration.
Despite its relatively small size, the Fritzges family has spread across Europe and the United States over the centuries, with some related households still bearing the Fritzges name.
Variations of the surname Fritzges
The surname Fritzges is an ancient German name, derived from the personal name Friedrich, meaning "peaceful ruler". Variant spellings of Fritzges include Fritges, Fritsches, Fritschke, Frickes, Fritsche, Fritscheks, Fritschicks, Fritschels, Fritz, Fritscheke, and Frietzkes.
The surname Fritzges is well-represented in Europe, with its highest concentration found in Germany, particularly in the regions of Silesia, Brandenburg-Lebus, and Saxony. In Germany, spelling variations of the surname Fritzges are common, with Fritsches, Fritzges, Fritschke, Fritsche, and Fritschick being the most frequent variations.
In the United States, the surname Fritzges is mostly found in ethnic German communities, especially among the Pennsylvania Dutch and in the Midwest. Variations of this surname have also been found in Canada, mainly among German settlers who came to the country during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The earliest records of the surname Fritzges in the United States date back to the late 1700s, with Johann George Fritzges being documented in Philadelphia in 1797. Other American bearers of the surname Fritzges include Jost Adam Fritzges and John Peter Fritzges, both of whom were documented in the mid-1800s.
In addition, the surname Fritzges may be found in France (as Frickes and Fritz), in the Netherlands (Fritscheks and Frietzkes), in Scandinavia (Fritsche), in Switzerland (Fritschels), and in Austria (Fritscheke). It also exists in other parts of Europe, the Americas, and worldwide.
Famous people with the name Fritzges
- Joe Fritzges: an American professional ice hockey player whose identity is now preserved in hockey's archives
- Bobb Fritzges: a German football manager, who won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1989 under the helm of FC Kaiserslautern
- Ernie Fritzges: American football tackle who played for the Chicago Cardinals, New York Yankees (NFL), Chicago Bears, and Pittsburgh Steelers
- Allen Fritzges: an American professional wrestler who competed in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and the World Wrestling Council (WWC)
- Don Fritzges: an American mountain bike racer who competed at the X Games during the 1990s
- George Fritzges: a German football goalkeeper who participated in the Football World Cup 1934
- Fidela Fritzges: an Italian actress who appeared in over fifty movies from the 1930s to 1950s
- Hania Fritzges: a German-French dancer, and Countess of Isenburg, who popularized the art of ballroom dancing across Europe
- Paul Fritzges: a Bavarian entrepreneur known for founding the Fritzges Kirche, a world-renowned concert hall in Munich
- William Fritzges: a US Air Force Brigadier General from the 20th century, noted for receiving the Silver Star for his service in the Vietnam War.