Surname Froeschel - Meaning and Origin
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Froeschel: What does the surname Froeschel mean?
Froeschel is a German name derived from the Middle High German word “vroschil” which means “from the broad clearing”. It was originally the topographic name for someone who lived in a clearing in the forest.
Most records suggest that the origin of the surname was in the Nordthüringen region of Germany which is now part of Saxony-Anhalt. This region is noted for its evergreen forests and woodlands which are teeming with wild animals. Within these forests were also small open spaces known as clearings or Froeschl which are likely where the surname originated from.
The use of topomymic surnames such as Froeschel was quite common during the Middle Ages as they were used to distinguish between different people who lived in the same area. This type of surname is derived from the geographical location of birth or residence of the original bearer and usually refers to the natural features of the landscape such as woods, hills, and ponds.
The Froeschel surname was eventually brought to the United States during the 19th century. The name is relatively uncommon even today but contains a history of hundreds of years that is still alive in those who now bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisFroeschel: Where does the name Froeschel come from?
The last name Froeschel is most commonly found in Germany today. It is an uncommon to rare surname, but it appears to be more frequent in larger German cities, such as Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt. When researching the surname, many websites will refer to historical occurrences, origins, and even heraldic crests.
The family name Froeschel appears to be of German origin. It is likely derived from the Middle High German word 'vrieschel' or 'vriscel', which means 'very small'. This surname was likely first given to a small individual or to one with a small stature. The first well-documented bearer of the name was Antonius Froeschel from Munich in 1642. There are also records of other Froeschel families in Nürnberg and Frankfurt during the 17th and 18th centuries.
The current prevalence of the Froeschel surname is unknown, although it is listed on various websites as a "rarely encountered" name. An analysis of Germany's population records in 2019 revealed that there were only 232 individuals with that last name living in the entire country, which represents approximately 0.003 % of Germany's population. This low number suggests that the name Froeschel is, indeed, quite rare today.
Variations of the surname Froeschel
The surname Froeschel is a German surname typically found in Bavaria, Germany. Variations and spellings of the surname often include Froeschle, Fröschl, Fröschle, Froeschel, Froeschli, Froesel, and Froesle.
Froeschle is the most commonly found German spelling of the surname. In some cases, the spelling of this variation of the surname may also include a umlaut (ü). This spelling is derived from the German word meaning "baked".
Fröschl is another variation of the surname meaning "small frog". This variation, along with Fröschle, are both less common spellings.
Froeschel is a more unusual variation of the name—it is rarely used and may be a variation of the German word frösch meaning "small frog".
Froeschli is another variation of the surname—it is derived from the Middle High German word grōsc lymph meaning "little big one" or "little wealthy one".
Froesel and Froesle are both variations of the Froeschel surname. These spellings appear in the Baden region of Germany and are thought to originate from a combination of the words fröschle (meaning small frog) and wassel (meaning Gusto).
Overall, the Froeschel surname is a German name typically found in Bavaria. Variations and spellings of the surname include Froeschle, Fröschl, Fröschle, Froeschel, Froeschli, Froesel, and Froesle.
Famous people with the name Froeschel
- George Frosch: American actor, best known for his appearances in films such as Family Plot, The Day of the Locust, Three on a Couch, and A Wedding.
- Robert Frosch: Well-known physicist, former professor at Harvard University, and NASA Administrator from 1977 to 1981.
- Jason Frosch: American entrepreneur, best known for founding the travel app, Tripit.
- Ruth Frosch: Olympic athlete, winner of silver medal in the 880 Yard Run at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
- Paul Frosch: German-American, former Mayor of the City of Cleveland.
- Robert Frosch: Former Director of the MGH/MIT Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in Boston.
- Stephen Frosch: American artist and printmaker.
- John Frosch: Professional poker player.
- Philippe Frosch: French investor and risk management professional, and a founding member of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Risk Management.
- Joseph Frosch: American lawyer, litigator, and former assistant to Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.