Surname Frohnauer - Meaning and Origin

Frohnauer: What does the surname Frohnauer mean?

The last name Frohnauer is of German origin and is associated with the towns of Frohnau, Frohnhofen and Frohnhausen, all located near Berlin in Germany. The name is derived from the Old Germanic word frauen, meaning “swamp” or “marsh”, and auer, meaning either “dweller near” or “inhabitant of”. Thus, someone with the Last Name Frohnauer would likely have been an inhabitant of or have recently descended from someone who lived near one of the marshy, boggy areas around Berlin.

The earliest recorded versions of the surname Frohnauer can be traced back to 1445, when one Hermann Fronhowere was mentioned in the archives of the city of Frankfurt am Main. In 1599, a Peter Layhen one of the first settlers of the German colonies in Pennsylvania, also bore the surname Frohnauer.

Historically, the main occupation of the Frohnauers was farming. People with this last name would most likely have farmed on the marshy boggy land near the rivers and near the towns of Frohnau, Frohnhofen, and Frohnhausen in Germany. As a result, the family name has become associated with hardworking people who are resourceful and careful with money.

The surname Frohnauer is still common throughout Germany and other countries with German-speaking populations such as Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States. In recent years, some families bearing the last name have moved to other countries where Germans have settled, such as Australia and Canada.

Frohnauer: Where does the name Frohnauer come from?

The last name "Frohnauer" is most commonly found in the region of Germany known as the Bavarian area, specifically in Vienna. This area is located in the south-east corner of Germany, and its land has seen many wars and political shifts over its long and dynamic history. These shifts have led to the family name of Frohnauer being particularly prominent in the area.

Before World War II, the Frohnauer family was much more common in Germany than it is today, as was much more common in Austria. However, following the war, this family name declined significantly in these areas. It was during this period of time when many of the members of the Frohnauer family immigrated to the United States.

Today, the majority of the Frohnauer family can be found in the United States, with a smaller number of individuals living in Canada. Its numbers are especially high in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and New Jersey, although there are a number of Frohnauer families living in almost all of the fifty states.

The family name has become even more widespread in modern times, with members of the Frohnauer family present in many countries of Europe, including the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and even South Africa. In a few countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, the family name remains quite popular, although not as much as it once was.

Given the changes and upheavals in the past century, it is clear that the last name Frohnauer still has a strong presence both in Europe and in the United States. It is an intriguing name that serves as a reminder of the many times and places that the family has been through and, ultimately, the unique history of this very special family.

Variations of the surname Frohnauer

The surname Frohnauer is a German surname which means "the froh dweller" or "the joyous dweller". It is derived from the German word ‘froh’, which means happy or cheerful. It is also a variation of a German place-name, indicating that the original bearer of the name came from a place called Frohnau or Frohnreuth.

The variants and spellings of this name are many and include Frohnhauer, Frohnaeur, Frohnenauer, Frohnerer, Frohner, Frohnar, Frohnea, Frohnauer, Frohnhuber, Frihnaurer, Frahnauer, Froahnauer, Frehnaurer, Froenaur, Frehnauer, Froneaur and Froihnaur.

In other countries, the name may be phonetically spelled in different forms such as Frahnather, Froneetter, Forgnar, Frauenauer, Frahenow, Frahner, Fromeau, Fronneur, Fraoner, or Freamer.

The surnames of the same origin as Frohnauer are Frondenauer, Frondauer, Fronhofer, Frauwirth, and Fronmer. They all mean “the joyful dweller” or a “dweller of a joyful place.”

Overall, Frohnauer is an interesting surname with many variants and spellings which originated in Germany, as well as related surnames of the same origin. The original bearer of the name likely settled in a place called Frohnau or Frohnreuth and the name can also be used to describe someone who is cheerful or happy.

Famous people with the name Frohnauer

• Peter Frohnauer: German journalist and book author.
• Chimin Frohnauer: German cinematographer and film editor.
• Karl Frohnauer: German musician and composer.
• Michael Frohnauer: German sculptor.
• Maria Frohnauer: Austrian cross-country skier.
• Karl Foster Frohnauer: American newspaper editor and publisher.
• José Mário Frohnauer: Brazilian theologian.
• Viktor Frohnauer: Czech actor and theatre professor.
• Philipp Frohnauer: German sports shooter.
• Celso Frohnauer: Brazilian theologian.

Other surnames

Frohnau