Surname Frear - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Frear: What does the surname Frear mean?
The surname Frear is an occupational surname that originates from the Old English term, "frere," which means "brother." The term was often used to refer to members of a religious order, particularly monks and friars. Thus, the surname likely developed to identify someone whose father or another male relative was a friar. Occupational surnames were common in medieval Europe as they were an easy way to identify individual people when populations began to grow and more names were needed. It's important to note that Frear, like many last names, may have multiple origins and meanings across different cultures and regions. So, someone with the surname Frear could trace their ancestry or familial ties back to a religious figure in the past. Over time, spelling variations have occurred, including Freer, Fryer, Fryar, and others.
Order DNA origin analysisFrear: Where does the name Frear come from?
The surname Frear is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'frere', which means 'brother' or 'fellow worker'. It was often used as a nickname or an occupational name for someone who behaved as or was a brother, in particular a lay member of a religious fraternity. Over the years, 'frere' evolved into variant forms such as Freer, Fryer, and Frear.
The first recorded spelling of this family name is shown to be that of Drogo Frere, which was dated 1219, in the "Curia Regis Rolls of Suffolk". The Frear family was well established in the British Isles during the medieval period but later migrated to the New World, particularly the United States and Canada.
Today, the surname Frear still exists and can be found in various parts of the world, but it is most commonly found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Despite its spread to different regions, the Frear surname is relatively scarce, ranking at 118,948 for the most common surnames in the world.
Variations of the surname Frear
The surname Frear hails from Scottish, English, and Northern Irish origins. There are several variations and related surnames derived from these areas, demonstrating changes over time and location. It may have evolved from names such as Fraser, Frere, Farrar, and Frew, which have similar phonetic characteristics or contextual meaning. In some cases, the name could be a variant of Fryer or even refer directly to a 'friar.'
The patronymic "son of Frear" may also contribute to the pool of surnames related to Frear. More specifically, Frearson and Frears are probable related names. An interesting alternate spelling stemming from an old English term "fere," meaning companion, is Fearer. Possible misspellings and transcription errors may also have given rise to variants such as Frea, Freare, Frearr and Freer. In terms of regional distribution, the surname Frear is most prevalent in the United States but also has considerable representation in England, Canada, and Scotland. Remember, surname origins and meanings can vary widely and this list may not capture every potential branch of the Frear family tree.
Famous people with the name Frear
- Walter Frear: He was a U.S. lawyer, politician, and the third Territorial Governor of Hawaii from 1907 to 1913.
- Jessica Frear: She is a health coach and a published author who has written a Hollistic Wellness Guide for women.
- Scott Frear: He is an author who wrote the book "Beautiful Bible Stories."
- Lee Roy Frear: A former Major League Baseball pitcher.
- Robert Henry Frear: He was a British track and field athlete who competed in the high jump at the 1924 Summer Olympics.
- James E. Frear: A U.S. politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin.
- Taylor Frear: A well-known master sommelier, wine director, and restaurateur recognized by the Wine Spectator for her work in the industry. Please note that while there are many people with the last name Frear, most are not considered widely "famous." The above mentioned are notable figures who have made recognizable contributions in their respective fields.