Surname Friedgen - Meaning and Origin

Friedgen: What does the surname Friedgen mean?

The last name Friedgen is derived from German and is pronounced FREE-gun. It is an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German word “friut” meaning “peace” and “gunst” meaning “grace”. In other words, it can be roughly translated to mean “peaceful grace” or “blessed grace”.

Friedgen people can trace their ancestral roots back to Germany. People with this surname are mainly concentrated in the south-western parts of Germany, particularly in the states of Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate and Bavaria.

Friedgen ancestors were likely peace-loving individuals who were well-regarded and blessed with grace. They may have held trade or craftsman positions, and were possibly responsible for agreeable trade relations between local farmers, merchants and craftsmen. This often led to successful business ventures, often growing one’s wealth and prosperity over time.

Throughout the years, Friedgen people have been known to embrace the values of fairness, charity and honesty, forming strong, community-led organisations that have contributed to the development of their respective cities. They are also recognised for their pioneering work in finance, law, government, education and the arts.

This last name is synonymous with strength, grace and character. Friedgen people will continue to make their mark on this world through the values and beliefs of their ancestors, and will continue to be known as people of honour, peace and service.

Friedgen: Where does the name Friedgen come from?

The last name Friedgen is most commonly found in Germany today. The meaning of the name is derived from the Middle High German word 'fridankin', which can be roughly translated to 'peaceful protection'. Historically, the Friedgen name was most likely an occupational name for a peacekeeper or a guard.

Today, there is a village in the state of Hesse, Germany called Friedgen, which is likely the origin of the name. Interestingly, this village has an old castle located there and the earliest known reference to the Franz von Friedgen family is found in a castle book from the 1390s.

In modern-day Germany, there are still many people who bear the name Friedgen. It is most concentrated in northern Hesse, around the city of Kassel, but is also found scattered throughout the regions of the former East Germany. Additionally, it is common among the more rural areas of Germany, particularly in the border regions of Hesse, Saxony, and Bavaria.

Overall, the Friedgen surname has a long and remarkable history and still remains common in Germanic countries today. Although its use has become more geographically dispersed, it still remains a historical reminder of the places and names of old.

Variations of the surname Friedgen

The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Friedgen include Freedman, Freedeman, Fridgen, Friedrich, Friederich, Friederici, Fridrick, Friederichsen, Friederickson, Fredrickson, Fridman, Freitag, and Freidgen.

Many of the surnames from this family all have the same root, the German Frid, meaning “peace” or “security.” Combined with a suffix such as man, ick, erick, son, or gen, the names referred to a son of Frid or a “son of peace.” This initially meant someone who owned land, typically land granted to them through service to the state or church.

The spelling of the Friedgen surname can also be found in several historical documents and records spelled differently. Some examples include Fredrici, Friedrichsen, and Freitag.

The Freedman surname, while sharing the same origin, is quite distinct among the Friedgen family. This name derived from servitude and initially referred to someone who was released from serfdom or emancipated. The surname was adopted by Jewish families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a representation of emancipation from an oppressive regime.

Overall, the Friedgen family is diverse and the surnames, although varied, are all closely related, as all stem from the same root and share the same original meaning.

Famous people with the name Friedgen

• Ralph Friedgen: An American football coach and commentator known for his work with prominent college programs such as the University of Maryland, Rutgers University, and the University of Georgia.
• John Friedgen: An American football offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Oregon State University.
• Bob Friedgen: An American football coach who served as head coach for the University of Maryland for two seasons, 2005 and 2006.
• Steve Friedgen: An American college football coach at the University of South Florida who previously served as the head coach at San Diego State for 13 years.
• Joe Friedgen: A former college football head coach and current offensive coordinator at Liberty University.
• Kelly Friedgen: A former college football coaching assistant at Maryland and current assistant coach at Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Bob Friedgen Jr.: An American college football coach, currently a defensive consultant for the University of Georgia.
• Mike Friedgen: A former college football assistant coach at California.
• Paul Friedgen: An American football coach who previously served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at the University of South Carolina.
• Paul Friedgen, Jr.: An American football coach, currently working as the tight ends coach for his alma mater, the University of Maryland.

Other surnames

Friedge