Surname Friss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Friss: What does the surname Friss mean?
The last name Friss is of German origin. It is derived from the German word 'frizz,' which means 'frizzy' or 'curly.' The name likely originated as a nickname for those with curly or frizzy hair. It could also have been used as an occupational name for someone who worked either as a hairdresser or as someone who sold curly wigs. In the Middle Ages, wigs were a popular fashion accessory, so having a surname derived from the words ‘frizz’ or ‘curl’ would have alluded to an expertise in styling hair.
The surname Friss is also found throughout England and the United States. There are less common variations of the name, such as Frye or Fry. It is thought that surnames beginning with "Fry-" were derived from the Anglo-Saxon word for 'peace.' This could suggest that the family who adopted the surname Friss descended from a particular tribe or region, as their surname could have been taken on to imply a peaceful nature.
The surname Friss may have come to be associated with loyalty and perseverance. Since naming conventions were often passed down through the generations, it is likely that some families value the traits associated with their name. This suggests that those who belong to the Friss family are known to be dependable and disciplined people.
Overall, the surname Friss is a unique and special name with a long, interesting history. It is an enduring name that has carried on for generations.
Order DNA origin analysisFriss: Where does the name Friss come from?
The last name Friss is most commonly found in the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States of America. It is thought to have originated in Germany due to its prevalence and popularity in the region. It may be a derivative of the German surname Fritz, which is derived from a nickname of an old Germanic first name, Friedrich.
In the Netherlands, the surname Friss is most common in the province of Drenthe, located in the northern part of the country, as well as in Belgium and Friesland. The Friss surname is believed to have been adopted in the Netherlands around the 17th century, likely indicating some of the early Dutch settlers in the region had the Friss surname.
In the United States, the Friss surname primarily originated in Pennsylvania German communities in the 1700s. Some of the earliest arrivals to the region with the last name Friss are believed to have been of German extraction, likely having come from Pennsylvania Dutch communities in Germany and Austria.
Today, Friss is still a common name in the United States, particularly in areas with a strong German roots. It can also be found in various other countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and other parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Friss
The Friss surname, also spelled Frisse, Fris or Friis, is an unusual German or Jewish surname that may have originated from Middle High German. It is believed to have evolved from the Old German word for fierce, frizo, and could have referred to a fierce person or warrior.
In some cases, the surname could also be derived from the Old French word frise, meaning curly, reflecting an individual who had wavy or curly hair.
Friss is rarely found in the United States, and is thought to be an Americanization of the more common and English sounding Frieze, a spelling derived from the German spellings Frise/Frisse, and Friies or Friis.
Other variants of the surname Friss include Frois, Phreeze, Phrise, Prese, Frye, Fryes and Fries.
Surnames with similar spelling and origin include Freese, Fraise and Freiz. The latter two are mangled spellings of the German civl name Freise, which is itself derived from Old German and means 'spiteful'.
The surname Friss tends to occur in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. It is also found in France, though it has become slightly anglicized as Fry.
Famous people with the name Friss
- Amy Friss, American banker, former director of the US National Economic Council
- Jerry Friss, American Neurosurgeon
- Peter Friss, Dutch actor
- Robert Friss, American attorney and former California State Assemblyman
- Isaac Friss, 19th Century Hungarian poet and rabbi
- Steve Friss, American journalist
- Sarah Friss, American artist
- Joseph Friss, American film producer
- Charley Friss, American jazz musician
- Sophie Friss, German-Austrian businesswoman and executive