Find out how popular the last name Fremd is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Fremd.

Fremd, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Fremd surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Fremd in America

Fremd is the 141788th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fremd surname appeared 108 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Fremd.

The history of the last name Fremd

The surname Fremd has its origins in Germany, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. The name is derived from the Middle High German word "vremede" or "vremd," which means "stranger" or "foreigner." This etymology suggests that the name was likely originally used as a descriptive nickname for someone who was new to a community or who came from a different region or country.

One of the earliest references to the surname can be found in the records of the Holy Roman Empire, particularly in regions that are now part of modern-day Germany, such as Bavaria and Swabia. The name appears in various charters, trade documents, and cadastral surveys from the 12th and 13th centuries. While these early records predominantly belong to commoners, the name also appears occasionally among the lower nobility and local clergy.

One of the oldest documented instances of the surname is from a 1246 charter in Bavaria, where a Konrad Fremd is mentioned as a witness in a land transaction. This indicates the name was already established by the mid-13th century, associated with individuals involved in legal and commercial activities. Additionally, the spelling variations like "Fremde" and "Fremt" are also seen in these early records, suggesting some fluidity in orthographic representation.

Moving to the 14th century, the name appears in the city records of Augsburg, a significant medieval trading center. Georg Fremd, born in 1332 and died in 1398, is noted as a prominent merchant who facilitated trade between German principalities and neighboring countries. His involvement in various guilds and local administration underscores the name's association with commerce and civic responsibility.

By the 16th century, the surname had spread to other parts of the German-speaking world, including Austria and Switzerland. A notable figure from this period is Anna Fremd, born in 1501 in Zurich and died in 1567. She was a renowned midwife whose practices were documented in early medical manuscripts. Her contributions to local healthcare were significant enough to be noted by contemporary chroniclers.

In the early modern period, the surname began to appear in church records, including baptismal and marriage registers. Christoph Fremd, born in 1654 in Nuremberg and died in 1721, was a Lutheran pastor whose theological writings were widely discussed in ecclesiastical circles. His sermons and tracts contributed to the religious discourse of his time, making his name well-known in Protestant communities.

As the name continued to evolve, it also spread beyond German-speaking regions, carried by waves of migration and the rise of European empires. One remarkable figure in the late 18th century is Johann Friedrich Fremd, who was born in 1767 in Vienna and died in 1820. He served as an officer in the Austrian army during the Napoleonic Wars, gaining recognition for his bravery at the Battle of Wagram in 1809.

Through these examples and historical records, it is apparent that the surname Fremd has a rich and varied history. Its connections to commerce, religion, healthcare, and military service highlight the diverse ways in which individuals bearing the name have contributed to their communities over the centuries. The name's original meaning, designating someone as a stranger or foreigner, reflects a social identity that has evolved significantly over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fremd

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Fremd.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Fremd was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Fremd was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Fremd, please contact us.

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