Surname Frisselle - Meaning and Origin

Frisselle: What does the surname Frisselle mean?

The last name Frisselle is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Fries. It is mainly found in Belgium and France and is a French word meaning "peaceful ruler". During the Middle Ages, the Frisselle family were a powerful noble family in France, with considerable influence in the politics of the day.

Frisselle is also found in parts of the United States, particularly in the southern states. It was likely introduced to the area by immigrants from France and Belgium who were escaping persecution. The last name has been in the United States since at least the early nineteenth century.

The meaning of Frisselle itself is not completely clear. It may come from a Germanic word meaning to ‘make peace’ or ‘settle a dispute’, making it an apt name for a powerful family whose primary task was to mediate disputes. Another theory suggests that the name is derived from or related to the Old French word ‘frison’, which means a kind of horse.

The Frisselle surname is not particularly common in the United States, but there are several notable people with this name. For example, brothers Randy and Bryan Frisselle were professional racing drivers and part of the Daytona Prototype class. The brothers won two Rolex 24 Hour races in 2008 and continue to hold a place in the history of racing.

Overall, the origins and meaning of the Frisselle surname are both mysterious and intriguing. While its exact roots may remain a mystery, it is clear that this last name has a history of power and influence.

Frisselle: Where does the name Frisselle come from?

The last name Frisselle is most commonly found in France. It is thought to have originally had German roots, as the name ‘Friselle’ was formerly quite common among German immigrants from the Alsace area. The name then spread to France, where it remains in common use today.

In France, the last name Frisselle is particularly concentrated in the regions of Normandy and Pays de la Loire, as well as in larger cities such as Paris, Lyon, and Marseille. Despite its French origins, versions of the name can also be found in other countries other than France, including Belgium, Switzerland, and the United States of America.

In the United States, Frisselle is most common amongst individuals of French-Canadian descent, especially those living in certain parts of the northern mid-west states, such as Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, as well as the province of Québec. The name is also found along the east coast, particularly in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and in some western states, such as California and Washington.

The Frisselle family is also well known for their achievements in the field of auto racing. The Frisselle brothers, Brian and Burt, were both successful race drivers, with Burt even competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans event in the early 2000s.

The name Frisselle is thus deeply embedded in the culture of the countries in which it exists, and will continue to enjoy wide usage for generations to come.

Variations of the surname Frisselle

The Frisselle surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Its variants include Friccelle, Friciell, Friselli, Frisell, and Fricelli. It is also sometimes spelled Phrisselle or Phriccelle, Prisell, Prizell, or Priscel.

Other related surnames include Frezelle, Phrizelle, Prissell, and Pricsill. The variations are all derived from the Italian language. This name originally referred to a person who had curly hair and therefore was likened to a frise or frisé, which is a curl.

The surname probably originated in Italy, then spread across Europe with settlers and immigrants. It was likely adopted by French individuals, who altered the spelling slightly. Evidence of this can be seen in French records, which sometimes spell the name as Friselle instead of Friscelle.

The approximate translation of Pristelle is “curly haired”. It could also be derived from the word frico, which means “frizzled,” or the French term frise, meaning “curled.”

In the United States, the alternative spelling is predominant, but Friselle is used as well. The official spelling is “Friselle” in Italy and some parts of Europe. The USA usually records its given name as Frisell or Friccelle.

Famous people with the name Frisselle

• Burt Frisselle: A professional race car driver who has taken part in some of the most high-profile races around the world, such as the Grand-Am Rolex Event, Daytona 24-hour, and Rolex 24 at Daytona.
• Ricky Frisselle: Also a professional race car driver, this Frisselle sibling has taken part in numerous races, from the Grand-Am Rolex Series to the American Le Mans Series.
• Brittney Frisselle: The youngest of the race car driver siblings and currently the only female in the Frisselle family competing in motorsport, she holds several championship titles and has received many awards in her career.
• Michael Frisselle: An American musician, he is the former frontman and songwriter for the power pop band Ice Cream Hands.
• Elisabeth Frisselle: A Cuban-Swedish model, she is the former editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine in Mexico and has posed for several international magazine photo shoots.
• Francis Frisselle: An American film director, he has created acclaimed short films like The Wake Up Dream, which was awarded the Best of Fest award at the 2013 Los Angeles International Short Film Festival.
• Vincent Frisselle: An American actor, he has appeared in several short films, including Rose Red and Beauty Resurrected.
• Keiko Frisselle: A Japanese woman living in the United States, she is the founder of Frisselle Racing Team, which is dedicated to driver safety.
• Stephen Frisselle: A professor of political science at Carleton College, he has written numerous books on international politics, including The Struggle for World Order: Search for a New Global Governance.

Other surnames

Frissell