Surname Friderichs - Meaning and Origin

Friderichs: What does the surname Friderichs mean?

The last name Friderichs is of German origin. The name comes from the given name Friedrich, derived from an old Germanic term meaning “peaceful ruler.” The first documentation of the name dates back to 1273 when “Friederich”—a Middle High German spelling of Friedrich— appears in records as a witness to a donation in Wuppertal.

Throughout German history, many variants of this name have popped up, such as Fredericks, Frederic, Frederiksen, Frietrich, and even Freyderick.

One of the more notable members of the Friderichs family is Napoleon Bonaparte’s brother, Lucien Bonaparte. In 1814, he adopted the German surname Friedrich and thus became known as Lucien Bonaparte Friderichs, Baron Friedrich von Alberto.

Today, the name is still prominent across Germany. Many people in the United States can trace their roots to the original Friderichs settlers of the 19th century, and the name has been found in records as far away as South Africa.

Though the original spelling of the name has been changed and adapted over generations, the original meaning of Friedrich—peaceful ruler—remains true. Those with the last name Friderichs take pride in their German ancestry, and share the same peaceful connection to the great nation of Germany that has been the same for centuries.

Friderichs: Where does the name Friderichs come from?

The last name Friderichs is most commonly found in Germany. Over the past century, the surname has been primarily concentrated in the Rhineland-Palatinate, where it ranks as the 5th most common surname. It is also found in other parts of Europe, particularly in the Netherlands and Denmark. In North America, the surname is found primarily in the United States and Canada. It is especially prevalent in the states of Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and Iowa, where it is found in county-level records from the late 19th century.

Friderichs is also found in South America, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. Similarly, the name is found in various other parts of the world, such as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Interestingly, there is a small population of Friderichs living in Russia, likely descendants of Germans who immigrated to the region in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In addition, the surname Friderichs is common among the many descendants of German immigrants living in North and South America. Many German names were simplified or altered upon immigration, and Friderichs is an example of a name whose spelling has been modified, here to Friedrichs. Thus, it is possible to find examples of the Friedrichs surname in places where the Friderichs surname is rare.

Variations of the surname Friderichs

The surname Friderichs is a German name derived from “Frederick”. There are several different variants of this surname, including Fredrich, Friedrich, Frederych, Philipps, Fredrichs, Fritsche, Rothers, Frerichs, Fritsch, and Frerick.

Variants of the surname include Fredrich, Friedrich, or Frederych. The suffix “-ich” is commonly used to indicate patrilineal descent and is typically the more common spelling. When written in its original older form, “Fredric” or Frideric”, the suffix “-ic” or “-ich” usually replaces the “d” or “e”.

The name is also sometimes spelled Philipps, Fredrichs, Fritsche, Rothers, Frerichs, Fritsch, or Frerick. All of these names are variations of the original Friderichs, often adding the “-s” at the end to indicate a patronymic hereditary name.

The surnames may also sometimes incorporate a regional accent, so Frerichs may appear as “Freyricks” or “Freyericks”. This is an indication that the surname originates from a specific area and is often used to indicate a regional origin.

The Lower German form of the original Friderichs surname may appear as Fritsch or Frerick, which is a variant of Fritsche. This variation is used to indicate a dynasty or a family line.

No matter its spelling, the name Friderichs originated from the first name Frederick and is of Germanic origin. It is often used to denote a male line of descent, either from a particular area or a wider region in Germany.

Famous people with the name Friderichs

• Estelle Friderichs, an American actress best known for her role as Gertie Engel in the 1969 film version of Goodbye, Columbus
• Ferdinand Friderichs, a 19th century German chess master and composer who was revered as one of the finest players of his era
• Henry Friderichs, a British photographer and film producer who co-founded the pioneering film studio British Instructional Films in 1924
• Johnny Friderichs, a Belgian athlete who won the silver medal in the Javelin Throw event at the 2000 Summer Olympics
• Elisabeth Friderichs, a German author and one of the first women to reach a high ranking government position in Germany
• Jan Friderichs, a German-born American hydrographic surveyor in the 19th century
• Johann Friderichs, a curler who competed in the 1924 and 1936 Winter Olympics
• Patricia Friderichs, an American sculptor and artist best known for her public monuments and architectural sculptures
• Gebhard Friderichs, a German rower who won a bronze medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics
• Paul Friderichs, a German World War I fighter pilot who was known for his bravery and determination

Other surnames

FriderichFriderici