Surname Frihs - Meaning and Origin

Frihs: What does the surname Frihs mean?

The last name Frihs is thought to be of Dutch, German, Danish, or Swedish origin. In the Netherlands, the spelling may vary between Frijs, Frijs, Frijsma or Frijsma, and as a surname in Scandinavia it could have been spelled Friis, Fryss or Friis.

It is derived from the Old German word 'Frid', meaning peace, and in Dutch it may also refer to the term 'frij', meaning free. This indicates that the name, when introduced to the Netherlands, was likely used to denote freedom and liberty.

In German, the name Frihs is traditionally tied to the occupation of a Friherr or Freiherr which translates roughly to a baron or noble. Other variants of the name can refer to land owners in Germany or those living by specific or distinct borders or boundaries.

The name is found throughout Central and Northern Europe and can also be found in the United States, with those bearing the name today likely descended from German, Dutch, Danish, or Swedish immigrants.

Frihs: Where does the name Frihs come from?

The last name Frihs is most commonly seen in the historic province of Schleswig-Holstein located in the northern part of Germany. This area is located on the western coast of the Baltic Sea and is bordered by Denmark to the north. In terms of modern day population, this area is home to over two and a half million people who tend to speak a version of German known as Low German or Low Saxon.

Frihs is found to be most concentrated in the region's capital of Kiel but can also be found in surrounding districts such as Flensburg, Plön, and Lübeck. It is believed that the name originated in the Kusel or Westfalen region in the 14th century but eventually spread throughout the country.

The last name Frihs is also found in limited numbers in the United States, with records placing them in New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin during the 19th century. They are found in even smaller numbers in Denmark as well.

Overall, the last name Frihs is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the region of Schleswig-Holstein. It is an old name with a rich history which has been around for centuries and to this day still remains connected to the area where it first originated.

Variations of the surname Frihs

The surname Frihs is a variation of the Scandinavian surname Friis and the German Frise. The German spelling of Frost/Frostel is also related, likely deriving from the same root as Frise.

The Swedish spelled Friis originated from the Old Norse Freys, meaning ‘lord’ or ‘king’. The earliest recorded variants in Scandinavia were Friso, Fryse, Fryso, Frysoe, Frese, and Fres. The earlier spelling of Frise, which is the base of the German spelling, was found in France, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as elsewhere, from the medieval period.

In Germany, the variants Fries, Fryes, Friess, Frieß, Friese and Friesser were commonly found. In the US, the surname was spelled as Frees, Fries, Fryes, Friese, Friess, and Frias. In the UK, variants included Freese and Fryes.

In Scandinavia, the variations Today, the surname can be found spelled as Friis, Friisius, Fris, Frisius, Frie, Fries, Fry, Frees, Freese, Frys, Fryse, and Fraes. Variations of the surname are found amongst nations throughout Europe, North America, and Australia.

Famous people with the name Frihs

• Emil Frihs: Danish track cyclist who won four gold medals at the 1939 UCI Track Cycling World Championships .
• Kjell Frihs: Swedish politician who served as the Minister of Cultural Affairs from 1950 to 1953.
• Mogens Frihs: Danish painter and sculptor who was inspired by the expressionist style.
• Johannes Frihs: Danish painter known for his genre paintings of historical Danish towns.
• Johannes Peder Frihs: Danish politician who held the office of Justice Minister from 1944 to 1947.
• Jørgen Frihs: Danish author and screenwriter who wrote the novel "Farewell and Remember".
• Frieder Frihs: German actor who starred in the television series "Der Schnäppchenhändler" and "Kühe in Not".
• Anna Frihs: Danish author and sculptor known for her works such as "The Cave of Time" and "Salt and Fire".
• Niels Frihs: Danish furniture designer known for his innovative and modern designs.
• Karen Frihs: Danish journalist and editor who wrote for Politiken and reported on world affairs.

Other surnames

Frihauf