Surname Fretz - Meaning and Origin
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Fretz: What does the surname Fretz mean?
The last name Fretz is of German origin and is derived from the German word ‘frets’ which means a maker of stringed instruments. It is also believed to be derived from the Middle High German word ‘fretze’ which means somebody from Fretz, a small town in the Palatinate region in Germany. The etymology of the name is therefore closely related to music.
The surname most likely started to be used when people of the Fretz region started to travel and settle in other parts of Germany and Europe, beginning in the mid-1700s. Today, it is a common surname in Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States, amongst other countries.
The Fretz surname is a great example of how our surnames often represent our cultural heritage. Many surnames are derived from a wide variety of sources, from the place the family originated, to their profession or nickname. A surname is often a great clue into the history of a family. Many surnames, like Fretz, retain links to the past and represent the identities from which we come.
Order DNA origin analysisFretz: Where does the name Fretz come from?
The last name Fretz is a German and Swiss name that continues to be common today in German-speaking countries, as well as in North America. In Germany, the name is pronounced “Frets” and is derived from the medieval German word “frizzel”, meaning “curly”.
In the United States, where approximately 12,344 individuals bear the surname Fretz, the name is most heavily concentrated in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. Within those areas, it is most prevalent in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. It is also relatively common in New York and California. In Canada, the name is most common in Ontario.
The Fretz surname is also common in some parts of Europe. In the Netherlands, it appears to have originated in the 1800s and is now most often found in the northern and western areas of the country. In Scotland, it is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name Frith, and appears to have first appeared in the country during Norman times.
Although Fretz is relatively rare in most other areas of Europe, it is still used as a surname in some countries, such as Austria and Italy, and is common as a given name in some of the German-speaking Alpine regions.
Variations of the surname Fretz
Fretz is a surname with multiple possible variants, spellings, and related surnames.
The most common spelling of Fretz is with an 'z' at the end. However, other variants include Fretts, Fretes, and Frettes. These different spellings mainly depend on the region or writer's preference of spelling.
Fretz also has related surnames, such as Frey, Fraze, and Freese. Many of these names have German origins and are derived from the Germanic word 'frud' which means peace. This is very similar to 'fretz', which is derived from the German word 'fredz' and has the same meaning of peace. In addition, the name is also related to the Italian 'frate', which is derived from the Latin 'frater', which means 'brother' or 'kinsman'.
Despite these variants, spellings, and related surnames, Fretz is one of the most common surnames of Germanic origins. It has become popular throughout the world, with many Fretzes living in North America, Germany, and Australia, among other countries.
Famous people with the name Fretz
- John Fretz: Emmy Award-winning cinematographer and television director
- Edwin Fretz Jr.: Founding member of Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society, professor of history for 35 years at Eastern Mennonite University
- Deborah Fretz: retired research professor at the University of Glasgow researching Disability Studies
- Henry Fretz: Canadian patent attorney recognized for his work in industrial engineering
- Nelson Fretz: American visual artist, sculptor, writer and inventor
- Kevin Fretz: Assistant Professor of Digital Media and Film Studies at University of San Diego
- Ronald Fretz: highly decorated USAF Captain and Vietnam War veteran
- Christine Fretz: author, inspiring life coach, speaker, and retreat facilitator
- Joe Fretz: professional drummer and session musician
- Ryan Fretz: former minor league baseball pitcher