Surname Fridel - Meaning and Origin
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Fridel: What does the surname Fridel mean?
The last name Fridel is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, which originated from an occupational surname taken on in Eastern Europe. The surname is likely derived from the Yiddish word “fraler” meaning “tailor” or from the German words “frida” meaning “peace” and “loh” meaning “forest”. As a result, the last name Fridel is often taken to mean “tailor of peace” or “forest dweller of peace”.
In the time leading up to World War Two and during the war, the Fridel name was most likely adopted by many Jews as a means of disguise. It then became a surname taken on by many Jewish people who were seeking to assimilate into foreign societies.
Throughout history, the Jewish people have been associated with peace making and diplomacy. So the name Fridel can be seen to embody this principle. The Fridel surname is also known for being that of an ancient Jewish tribe in the 21st century, known as the Fridels. This tribe has been known to trace a lineage all the way back to the biblical patriarch Ephraim, making them one of the oldest Jewish lineages.
With a history steeped in symbolism and depth of faith, the last name Fridel carries a great sense of pride and a powerful legacy of resilience and wisdom.
Order DNA origin analysisFridel: Where does the name Fridel come from?
The last name Fridel is most commonly found in Germany and the surrounding countries, primarily in Europe. It is a German surname, derived from the Middle High German words “frid” and “hel”, and was most likely initially given as an occupational surname to a miller. Its likely geographical origin is associated with the areas of Hesse and Bavaria.
The last name is not rare, and is estimated to be shared by around 13,000 people worldwide. In Germany, it is estimated that it is shared by around 3,400 people. However, the highest concentration is in the United States, where it is estimated that around 8,000 people have the last name Fridel. Other countries in Europe with notable populations that share this surname include Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands and France.
The Fridel family has had a long and varied history, one which involved migrating across Europe and into many other parts of the world. Today, the Fridel last name is often associated with the arts, politics and engineering. The Fridel family history has made connections to powerful families such as the Habsburgs and one of its members even served as the president of Germany.
In modern times, the Fridel name is still respected and represented in many countries around the world. Those that have the last name are often proud of their family’s history and its proud past.
Variations of the surname Fridel
The surname Fridel is a variation of the German surname Fridel. It is also spelled Friedel, Friedell, Friedeler, Friederl, Friedl, Freedell, Freidel, Friedelle, and Friedrich.
The Fridel surname is associated with several different alternate spellings, including Fridle, Fridell, Fridells, Frydel, Frydell, Frydels, Frydle, Freidel, Freadel, Fraidl, Freidl, Freidle, Frietel, Freetell, and Frizell.
The origin of the Fridel surname can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It was likely derived from the Middle High German word “fritta” meaning “peace” or “trust.” Alternatively, it could have been derived from the Old High German word “fridu” meaning “peace.”
In the United States, Fridel is most common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, California, and Massachusetts. It is also an uncommon last name in other English-speaking countries, like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Germany, Friedel is the most common spelling of the Fridel surname but variations like Friederle, Freidl, and Frietel can also be found. The Fridel surname can also be found in the archives of Switzerland and Austria given the German-speaking influence of these countries.
Common variants of Fridel in German documents include Friedle, Fritel, Friederl, and Fritze. The surname has also been recorded in Danish genealogical records under the variations of Friedel, Friipel, Fripel, and Friele.
In summary, the Fridel surname appears to have originated from the German word “fritta” meaning “peace” or “trust.” While Fridel is most commonly found in the United States, other variants of the surname can be found in English-speaking nations and German-speaking regions across Europe.
Famous people with the name Fridel
- Mike Fridel: Mike Fridel is an American jockey and racing analyst. He worked for ESPN and later Fox Sports as well as NBC Sports as a spokesman and reporter. He won several Grade I races and came close to riding a fourth time, but lost to Chris McCarron in the Kentucky Derby.
- Bill Fridel: He is an American composer and singer. He has written orchestrated film scores as well as three musicals. He is known for songs such as “Dancing in the Street”, “Skylark Dreams”, and “Happy Days”.
- Anna Fridel: Anna Fridel is an American painter and draftsman, currently living and working in Los Angeles, California. She is primarily known for her muted palette of blues and greens, as well as faint naïf images of people, places, and objects.
- Judith Fridel: Judith Fridel was an American writer and editor who wrote mostly plays and novels. She wrote several plays that were produced in New York’s Broadway. She was known for having a compelling and fluid writing style.
- Sam Fridel: Sam Fridel is an American professional football player. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2017 and later moved to the Houston Texans. He is the president of the American Football Players Association.