Surname Alfriend - Meaning and Origin
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Alfriend: What does the surname Alfriend mean?
The last name Alfriend is of an English origin and is a topographical surname. It is derived from Old English words aelf (meaning river) and friend (meaning friend). It refers to someone who lived close to a river or stream. The variant of this name, "Alfrith," existed in medieval times.
The earliest records of this surname were found in the Domesday Book of 1086, where it was found as Alfrid, which means old peace. The name may have originated as a nickname for someone who was devoted to peace and the protection of rivers and streams.
As a topographical name, it is believed that most of the bearers of the name descended from a single ancestor who took the name to indicate his residence by a river or stream. Over time, this distinctive surname has spread to all corners of the English-speaking world.
The name Alfriend is associated with loyalty and strength as the name was taken on by people especially close to water. Water has been known to be a source of life and strength, which could explain why people closely associated with it also adopted this tough name. The strong associations of those bearing this name with the idea of dependable loyalty makes the name both interesting and remarkable.
Order DNA origin analysisAlfriend: Where does the name Alfriend come from?
The last name Alfriend is most commonly found in the United States today. The surname is particularly prevalent in the Midwest and the South. Specifically, in the states of Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana, the last name is most common. According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2020, 5,086 people have the last name Alfriend in the United States.
The Alfriend surname is thought to have originated in Wales or German. The Welch spelling of Alfriend is "Alfred", and it has also been known to be spelled Alford. According to census records from the mid-1900s, many Alfriends have Welsh ancestral heritage.
The Alfriend family of Ohio is a large and growing family in the United States. This makes Ohio a hub of sorts for this last name. Additionally, the surname is also widely found in Indiana, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.
Although the present-day Alfriend family may have originated from Wales, the traditional language associated with them is German. The German spelling of the name is "Alftred" and it is widely believed that many of the family migrated to the United States from Bavaria and other regions of modern-day Germany.
Overall, the last name Alfriend is most prevalent in the United States, specifically the Midwest and the South. This variance in spelling and origin is a reminder of the family’s long history and multicultural origin.
Variations of the surname Alfriend
Alfriend is a British surname of Anglo-Saxon origin. Its variants, spellings and surnames all date back to the Anglo-Saxon times and include Alfreind, Alfrend, Allfriend, Allfeind, Alfinden, and Allfonte.
The surname Alfriend can also be found in various forms which were derived by medieval scribes who were trying to record words spoken by people in the Middle Ages who did not know how to write. These forms include Alveyn, Alfrynd, Allfrynd, Alfrende, Allfrende, and Alfevnde.
The most common variant of Alfriend is Allfriend, which is a combination of the Old English word ''al'', meaning ''all'', and the word ''friend''. The name would mean ''all friends'' and would suggest that the original holder of the surname was the leader of a group of friends.
Other variants of Alfriend include Aylvriend, Allfynd, Alfynne, Alfynne, and Alfen. There were also foreign adaptations of the name in other languages, such as Elvirind in German, Alforito in Spanish, and Alverte in French. It is also interesting to note that some researchers have found evidence that the name is derived from the Old English name Aelfric, which was a personal name of Anglo-Saxon people during this period.
Overall, the surname Alfriend dates back to the Old English period which means that its variants, spellings and surnames are all connected to the original holder of the name. These variants offer insight into the life and times of the Anglo-Saxon people.
Famous people with the name Alfriend
- David Alfriend, American actor known of his role in the movie The Adventures of Pinocchio starring on Mario Castelnuovo and Robson Green.
- Abbie Alfriend, former soccer player and the first African-American woman to win the prestigious Hermann Trophy for the most outstanding college soccer player in the United States.
- Tim Alfriend, American artist based in Houston, Texas, known for his paintings of classic cars and motorcycles.
- August Alfriend, Austrian flautist and conductor, awarded the Gold Medal of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
- Dan Alfriend, American animator who has worked on numerous films and television shows such as Ren & Stimpy and The Simpsons.
- Ken Alfriend, former NFL quarterback who played for the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins.
- Chris Alfriend, American film director and producer, recipient of multiple Emmy and Peabody Awards.
- Walt Alfriend, American photographer and photojournalist who has worked extensively for the Associated Press and Reuters.
- Lawrence Alfriend, former NFL defensive end who played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1978-1982.
- Tre Alfriend, American singer-songwriter and actor known for their work on the Disney Channel original series Jonas.