Surname Frits - Meaning and Origin
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Frits: What does the surname Frits mean?
The last name Frits is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch word 'frits', which means money – most likely referring to a prosperous family. This surname, which is very rare, is commonly found in the Netherlands and throughout the Low Countries.
The family of this surname has a long history in Holland, appearing as early as the 16th century. With the arrival of colonists to North America in the early 1700s, Frits has spread to many areas in the United States and Canada.
As a result, those who carry the Frits surname come from a variety of national backgrounds. The Frits surname first appears in the New World in 1639, when a Johannes Frits left a will in Staten Island, New York; other early settlers include Claes Frits from Utrecht, Holland in 1708; and Hendrick Frits from Amsterdam in 1709.
Frits families have been known to be prosperous and successful for generations, playing a prominent role in Dutch society. In fact, members of the Frits family were influential in the development of the Dutch-American colony throughout the 18th century. Several members of this Dutch family have even been honored with a seat in the Dutch Senate, something that brings great pride and respect to the Frits nation.
Today, the Frits nation is dispersed throughout North America, Europe and beyond, and its members continue to enjoy a long and successful legacy. Though this surname is uncommon in most countries, it still stands for great historical triumphs and a rich Dutch heritage, something many Frits families are proud to carry forward.
Order DNA origin analysisFrits: Where does the name Frits come from?
The last name Frits is most commonly found in Denmark and the Netherlands today. In Denmark, the surname can be found in almost every region, with the highest concentrations in Vestsjalland and the North Jutland regions. In the Netherlands, the name is most popular in the Noord-Holland region. It has also spread to other countries, particularly in Europe, where it can be found in Germany, France, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, among others.
The etymology of the name Frits is uncertain, although it is likely derived from the Old Germanic name "fridu" meaning "peace". The name became more popular in Europe after the 18th century, when many families started to adopt the surname. It has been in use in Denmark since at least the 17th century.
Frits is quite a common name today, due to its popularity in Denmark and the Netherlands and its spread across Europe. It is especially common on the internet, as many people with the same name are connected via online networks. It can also be found on various social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter. Additionally, many families have adopted the name in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Frits
The surname Frits has several variants and spellings including Fritz, Frets, Fries, Fritsch, Fryts, Fritsche, and Fritschke. Frits is a German surname, derived from the given name Fritz, which is a form of the name Friedrich. The surname can also have Dutch and Jewish origins.
In Dutch, Frits is a diminutive of Frederik or Frederikus. The name is derived from the Germanic element “frid” or peace combined with “ric” meaning power and ruler. Hence the meaning of the name Friedrich is “peaceful ruler”. Frits is the most common spelling of this name in the Netherlands. Frits can also be the Dutch surname form of any of the various Germanic names starting with ‘Frid’, like Fridegild or Fredegar.
In German culture, the name Frits is often used as a variation of the name Frederich, or Fritz for short. The surname Fritsch is a form of the name which is derived specifically from this shortened version of Friedrich. The surname Fryts is derived from the Jewish origins of the surname and is typically found among immigrants from Eastern Europe or Russia.
The spelling and pronunciation may vary slightly between countries, for example Frische in Austrian German, Fritsche or Fritschke in German and Fritschly in Swiss German. However, the meaning of the surname is universally understood to be the same; the peaceful ruler.
Famous people with the name Frits
- Frits Philips: Dutch industrialist and former CEO of Philips. He was one of the founding members of United Europe and is credited for helping to reconstruct the Netherlands after World War II.
- Frits Sissing: Dutch cyclist who competed in the 1924 Summer Olympics and later became a professional cyclist.
- Frits Potgieter: South African rugby player who was a member of the team that won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987.
- Frits Seelig: German chess International Master who was a chess Olympiad medallist in three consecutive Olympiads in the 1930s.
- Frits Goldschmeding: Dutch entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Randstad, a staffing and recruitment agency.
- Frits Jongerius: Dutch designer who has created a vast range of products in industrial, furniture design, and product design.
- Frits Schuitemaker: Dutch sculptor widely acclaimed for his work, which is in public collections around the world.
- Frits Rademacher: Dutch musician and composer who performed a wide variety of music, including classical, jazz, and cabaret.
- Frits ta Sie: Indonesian singer, comedian, and actor who is best known for his work in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Frits de Boet: Dutch businessman and philanthropist who was the president of the shipping company Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland from 1932 to 1951.