Surname Freking - Meaning and Origin
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Freking: What does the surname Freking mean?
The last name Freking is a German surname with roots that likely predate the modern nation of Germany. First recorded as early as 1298, Freking is derived from the Old High German word ‘ganfreke,’ meaning ‘armed’ or ‘fierce’. Such associations suggest that Freking was initially used to describe an ancestor of particular martial accomplishment.
The German surname likely spread to other parts of Europe in the early modern period as German settlers and armies moved beyond the borders of the Holy Roman Empire. The name and its variants (such as Vreken, Freken and Frekings) have since spread to areas such as the Netherlands, Denmark, and the United States.
The Freking surname is one of many German names that can still be found in many modern countries today, testifying to the traces left by German emigrants of the past. As late as 2019, Freking was the 11,284th most common surname in the United States.
Today, those with the name Freking often remember the fighting past of their ancestors as they continue to carry the proud surname forward. Its age-old meaning remains just as relevant in today’s modern world, a reminder of one’s enduring spirit and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisFreking: Where does the name Freking come from?
The last name Freking is an uncommon last name with no definitive geographic origin. It is primarily found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest. Generally, the highest concentrations of the Freking surname are in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. In the United States, Freking is ranked at 35,011 in terms of popularity, making it a relatively uncommon last name. Interestingly, the popularity is relatively low outside of the US, with the only other notable concentrations of the name found in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
The origin of the Freking name is also unknown, although there are some theories of Germanic and Scandinavian origin. One Germanic origin theory suggests that the name was derived from the Old High German term for "free-born," "freihoching," which eventually evolved into "Freking." This theory is given credibility by the fact that the earliest known record of the name is from Germany in the 1700s.
Another origin theory is based on the concept of patronymic surnames, which were often generated from a father's given name. According to this theory, the name "Freking" is derived from the Old Norse first name "Freyketil," the Latin term for "peaceful ruler," and the Old Norse word for "king," "konungr," and it created the combination of "Freyketil-konungr," which was eventually simplified to "Freking".
Given its limited prevalence and mysterious origins, it is difficult to determine how common the Freking surname is today. Nevertheless, it appears to mostly be concentrated in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, and that is where you are likely to find the most Frekings.
Variations of the surname Freking
The surname Freking is derived from the Low German term “freken” which translates to mean “free ones”. It is probable that this name denoted someone who was born of free parents and hence did not have the status of a serf. The name was brought to England in the late 12th century.
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin range from Frecken, Freeking, Fricke, Freedman and Freed, to Frick, Fraicke, Frekin, Freka, Freykin, Frycken, and Fryckin.
The earliest variations can be traced to recordings such as, Freke lecler of Cambridgeshire, England, in 1273; Johann Frekin of Cambridge, England, in 1294; Freke de Hexham of Northumberland, England, in 1297; and Freke de Bradele, of North Yorkshire, England, in 1317.
Other early variants are documented in certain regions including Fricke Wolfsecker, recorded in Heidelberg, Germany, in 1241; Jurghen Fricken in Frisia, Germany, in 1243; and Gerd Frykin, of Greve, Holstein, Germany, in 1299.
Throughout the centuries, the Freking surname has extended its roots to countries all across the world, and resulting variant spellings, including Freking, Frieking, Freedman, Fryckin, Freescape, Frickey, Fretschel, Freken, Freckin, to name a few.
Additionally, the name is also found in many other forms all over the world such as Freking in Germany; and Freedman, Freeking, etc in the United States; with surnames such as de Freking in the Netherlands; Frekin and Freka in Poland; Freken in Lithuania; Frigen in Sweden; and Frejken in Hungary.
Famous people with the name Freking
- Brad Freking: American songwriter, producer, and artist
- Don Freking: American baseball player
- Luke Freking: American baseball player
- Justin Freking: American football player
- Don Freking: Former mayor of Hallsville, Missouri
- Kiana Freking: American track and field athlete
- Frank Freking: American entrepreneur and venture capitalist
- Dave Freking: American politician
- Renee Freking: American writer and filmmaker
- Mike Freking: American lawyer and judge