Surname Frowein - Meaning and Origin
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Frowein: What does the surname Frowein mean?
The last name Frowein is of German origin and is believed to be derived from the word “vrowen” which means “council of trustees". It is believed that this surname was used to distinguish those who held positions of trust within their community.
The Frowein surname is most common in Germany, especially in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Bavaria. It is also found in other countries with German speaking populations such as Austria, Switzerland and South Africa. It is often found spelled: Frowein, Freund, or Frowen.
This surname has several possible meanings. It could refer to someone who was a member of a council of trustees, someone who was a prominent member of their community, or someone who managed a trust or estate. It could also refer to someone who may have been a guardian, or who practiced law, although these interpretations are less likely.
The surname Frowein is typically found among people of German descent. It is a historical reminder of their original homeland and the important roles held by the households they descended from. Having an understanding of the possible meanings of this surname can help to further enrich the history of a family.
Order DNA origin analysisFrowein: Where does the name Frowein come from?
The surname Frowein is most commonly found in Germany, both in its original form and variations. One of the earliest records of this surname was found in Saxony (a region in present-day Germany). In addition, this surname can also be found in Austria, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Denmark.
Within Germany, the surname is concentrated in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Bavaria. This is likely due to the fact that these regions form part of the historic duchy of Saxony, where the earliest record of the surname was found.
Furthermore, Frowein is also found in some parts of the United States, where it is believed the surname was taken by German immigrants who settled there in the 19th and 20th centuries. In these areas, the majority are found in the Midwest and Northeast regions, although some also live further south.
Overall, the surname Frowein is still quite common, especially in its main area of occurrence which is in Germany. There are also some examples of the surname in other countries, showing that it has followed the diaspora that followed closely in the 19th century. Whatever the case may be, the surname is still quite present in modern society.
Variations of the surname Frowein
The surname Frowein is of German and Dutch origin and is a variation of the German name ‘Frowein’ or ‘vrowein’ and the Dutch equivalent ‘Vroein’, both of which are derived from the Middle High German ‘vrouwin’, which is itself derived from the Old High German ‘frouwa’ – meaning ‘lady’.
The variation of this surname can vary based on the regional dialect of the area and time period in which the surname first appears. This can cause the spelling to differ, therefore, the variants of this surname can be seen as including Frowein, Vroein, Vrouwein, Vrowin, Frouwein, Frowen, Froen, Frone, Frauen, Frouw, Frau, Frauw, Frower, Frawer, and Frein.
In addition, there are some related surnames of similar origin, such as Vanderveen, Vervoorst, Vooren, De Vroege, de Vreugd, de Vriel, Vrouwe, Vries, Versprille, Vrolijk, Volders, Verhulst, Viersen, Vos, Vlaming, Vervoort, Fransman, Fritsma, and de Fremer.
Therefore, although the core spelling of Frowein is prevalent, it is important to be aware of the regional and temporal variation of this surname to be able to more accurately trace a family tree and it's various branches.
Famous people with the name Frowein
- Robert Frowein: German entrepreneur and manager, chairman of the Executive Board of Schott AG.
- Peter-Ulrich Frowein: International Human Rights Lawyer and professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Potsdam, Germany.
- Eugen Friedrich Frowein: German jurist and professor at the University of Bonn, Germany.
- Clarissa Frowein: actress and singer, also known for her role on the German television show “Unter Uns”.
- Rudolf Frowein: German psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, professor at the University of Dusseldorf.
- Yvonne Frowein: German athlete, competed in the long jump and 100m events at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.
- Rudolf Frowein Jr.: German sculptor, known for his bronze and marble sculptures of angels, musicians and other figures.
- Susanne Frowein: German film, television and theater actress.
- Hannah Frowein: German actress, known for her role in “Einer wird gewinnen”, a TV-movie.
- prolong Frowein: Interactive designer and media artist, works include exhibitions and interactive installations.