Surname Frohnau - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Frohnau: What does the surname Frohnau mean?
The last name Frohnau is derived from the German word “Froh”, which means “happy” or “lucky”, and the suffix “nau”, which typically denotes a place name. Therefore, the name itself is generally interpreted as a happy or lucky place.
The earliest documented use of this name can be traced back to the early 16th century, during the height of German immigration to Northern America. This family eventually settled and built a farm in what is now known as Pelham, Massachusetts. The name was further popularized by the Revolutionary War hero, Friedrich Frohnau, during the mid 18th century.
Today, the Frohnau surname is found throughout Europe, primarily in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, as well as parts of the United States. It remains a popular surname amongst its native homeland of Germany, where many of the same traditional values have been carried on over the centuries.
The name Frohnau is now used as a source of pride and a symbol of perseverance. It is often seen as a representation of good fortune and is a reminder for many families of the great immigrant past that brought them to America. It is a reminder to keep on fighting and striving for the best despite struggle and hardship, a reminder that dedication and hard work will ultimately lead to a better life.
Order DNA origin analysisFrohnau: Where does the name Frohnau come from?
The last name Frohnau is most commonly found today around Germany. It is believed to have originated in the cities of Berlin, Brandenburg, Leipzig, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, in states of the former DDR (East Germany). After WWII, the migration of Germans into the US began increasing and this is likely when the name began making its way across the Atlantic.
Due to the continued immigration of Germans into the United States, today the surname can be found in many places. The most common beings several states across the US, such as Texas, Oregon, Wisconsin, Iowa, California, New York and even many other states further south on the east and west coasts. Canada also has a few families with this surname.
The number of families with the name Frohnau have increased with each passing year, and while the surname is not among the most common today, it continues to come up in the population. Today it is dispersed all over the globe, from Germany in Europe to the United States, Canada and Australia in the Americas and Oceania.
Variations of the surname Frohnau
The Frohnau surname is considered to be of German origin and is thought to originate from the region of Prussia. Other spellings of this surname include Frohn, Frohnauer, Frahn, Frahnau and Frahnauer. Other variants include Frehn, Freen, Frehnau, Frehnauer, Frameau, Frameau and Friedonau.
The surname can also be traced to the Old German words ‘frau’ and ‘naus’, which mean housekeeper and estate respectively. This could point to the notion that the original holders of this surname were landowners or landowners in German origin.
It is also possible that holders of this surname changed it due to the political unrest of the region during the Middle Ages and the period of The Thirty Years War, when names were often altered to hide political affiliations. This could explain the multiple spelling variations.
In the United States, there are numerous variations of the surname Frohnau. For example, it has been recorded in census records as Frahna, Froman, Fromanau, Fromanaw, Fromel and Fromell. Other variants that have been recorded include Fromer, Fromann, Fromme, Fromannau, Frommann and Frommannau.
An alternative theory suggests that the Frohnau name may have been derived from a place name. It has been recorded in some sources in Austria as Fruh or Fruhan, which may refer to a hamlet or village in the Bad Durrenberg district of the Rhineland. Another alternative origin could be from the place name Frommenhausen, located in the Freiberg district of Saxony.
Overall, there are numerous variants and spellings of the surname Frohnau. Its meaning and origin remain obscure, however, it is possible that multiple spelling variations of the surname exist and arose due to political unrest during the Middle Ages, the need to hide political affiliations, or simply variation of dialects and regional languages.
Famous people with the name Frohnau
- Clarence Frohnau, German sprint canoer
- William Frohnau, German naval officer
- Emil Frohnau, Berlin-based artist and sculptor
- Yvonne Frohnau, East German speed skater
- Friedrich Frohnau, 15th century German theologian
- Dieter Frohnau, contemporary German art historian
- Gerald Frohnau, German lawyer and diplomat
- Christian Frohnau, German author and poet
- Maria Frohnau, German stage actress
- Ernst Frohnau, 19th century German historian and author