Surname Freihöver - Meaning and Origin
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Freihöver: What does the surname Freihöver mean?
The last name Freihöver is derived from the German words ‘frei’ meaning free and ‘höver’ meaning news or tidings. The name is believed to have originated in the 13th century, when many people began migrating from central Europe to northern and western Europe. Freihöver was most likely taken on as a surname by those who liked to share news. It’s possible that someone with the last name Freihöver was a messenger or a courier, regularly travelling across Europe with important news. It’s also possible that the surname was taken on by someone in a certain profession such as a minstrel or a tinker who brought news with him.
The reputation of a family who bore the name Freihöver could have been very good, as they were trusted to share news efficiently and accurately. They may also have been held in high regard for their impartiality, as they didn’t benefit financially from the news they spread. On the other hand, the family could have been seen as a nuisance, constantly bringing news from afar that might be shocking in nature.
The last name Freihöver is today a common German, Dutch, and Scandinavian surname, and is present in many countries across the world. People who bear the name today may not necessarily be aware of its roots, but in some cases the historical significance may be remembered and passed on through family stories or documents.
Order DNA origin analysisFreihöver: Where does the name Freihöver come from?
The last name Freihöver is most commonly found in Germany, and possibly some other parts of Central Europe. This name originated from the Old German personal name Freihild, which combined the elements “friu” meaning free and “hild” meaning fight or struggle, broadly interpreted as “freeman” or “protector”. As a result, it is likely that the name is of Germanic or Teutonic origin.
The surname Freihöver is still relatively common in some regions in Germany, especially in the western parts of the country. The most densely populated regions are North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt and Bavaria. The name is also occasionally found in bordering countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.
A small number of people bearing the name Freihöver have also migrated to other parts of the world, including North America. According to some records, some members of this family might have caught a glimpse of America as early as the late 18th century, and eventually settled in the United States and Canada. Other countries such as Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand also have records of people with this last name. Interestingly, some family members have even migrated to smaller countries like Jamaica and Paraguay.
Overall, it is not uncommon to find the last name Freihöver today, as some members of the family still live in the same area in Central Europe, while others have dispersed to different corners of the world.
Variations of the surname Freihöver
The surname Freihöver can be spelled in a variety of ways. This variation is mainly due to the presence of the umlaut (ä) in the surname. The most common variation is “Freihoever”, replacing the ö with an oe. Other spellings of this surname include “Freihover,” “Freihöefer,” “Freihöffer,” “Freihöwer,” and “Freihöwers.”
The surname Freihöver has many variant surnames that are derived from it. These include “Freihöfler,” “Freihof,” “Freihoff,” “Freihoeve,” “Freihoffen,” “Freihövelt,” “Freihov,” “Freihoever,” “Freihöfel,” and “Freihöver-Stein.” These surnames are all variations of the original Freihöver surname and likely derive from the original surname.
The surname Freihöver may have a regional origin. The surname is mainly found in Germany, especially in Westphalia. In this area, many families with this surname are concentrated in the Werl and Beckum regions.
Despite the differences in spelling, all of these surnames share a common origin and are variations of the original Freihöver.
Famous people with the name Freihöver
- Daniela Freihöver: She is a German actress and television host, most notably co-hosting the program "Zur Sache" on RTL.
- Ute Freihöver: She is an actress and vocalist, and has appeared in numerous television films and series.
- Hanne Freihöver: She is a German violinist, and has won numerous awards for her work.
- Juergen Freihöver: He was a German politician who served as Minister of the Interior from 1978 to 1982, and was a member of the Bundestag for fourteen years.
- Ernst Freihöver: He was a German artist and sculptor best known for his abstract sculptures.
- Georg Freihöver: He is a German film director, producer and screenwriter.
- Thomas Freihöver: He is a German composer and musician, and the founder of Music4Live.
- Sebastian Freihöver: He is a German footballer currently playing for Dynamo Dresden.
- Lise Freihöver: She is a German contemporary writer.
- Konrad Freihöver: He was a German actor who appeared in numerous films and television series.