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

Frisch, 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 Frisch surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Frisch in America

Frisch is the 6710th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Frisch surname appeared 5,033 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 2 people would have the surname Frisch.

We can also compare 2010 data for Frisch to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Frisch

The surname Frisch is of German origin, deriving from the Middle High German word "frisch," which means "fresh" or "brisk." Its roots can be traced back to the 13th century, with the earliest known recorded instances of the name appearing in various German towns and villages.

The name likely originated as a descriptive nickname, referring to someone who exhibited a lively, vigorous, or energetic demeanor. It may have been bestowed upon individuals known for their vibrant personalities or those who displayed a youthful spirit. Alternatively, it could have been given to people who lived near a freshwater source or worked in an occupation related to fresh produce or goods.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Frisch surname can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus Saxoniae Regiae, a collection of historical documents from Saxony, dating back to the 14th century. The name appears in various spellings, such as "Frisch," "Frische," and "Frissche," reflecting the regional variations and cultural influences of the time.

In the 16th century, a notable figure named Johann Frisch (1505-1564) served as a Lutheran theologian and reformer in Saxony. He played a significant role in the Protestant Reformation and was a close associate of Martin Luther.

Another historical figure bearing the Frisch surname was Johann Leonhard Frisch (1666-1743), a German entomologist and naturalist. He made significant contributions to the study of insects and authored several influential works, including "Beschreibung von allerley Insecten in Teutschland" (Description of Various Insects in Germany).

During the 18th century, the Frisch name gained prominence in the field of literature with Johann Jakob Frisch (1709-1776), a German playwright and poet. He is best known for his satirical works and comedies, which reflected the social and cultural norms of his time.

In the 19th century, a notable bearer of the Frisch surname was Max Frisch (1911-1991), a Swiss playwright and novelist. His works, including "Homo Faber" and "Andorra," explored existential themes and the complexities of human relationships. Frisch is regarded as one of the most influential German-language authors of the 20th century.

Another prominent figure was Ragnar Frisch (1895-1973), a Norwegian economist and statistician. He was a co-recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1969 for his pioneering work in econometrics and the development of dynamic economic models.

While the surname Frisch has its roots in Germany, it has since spread across various regions and countries, with bearers of the name contributing to various fields, including literature, science, and the arts.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Frisch

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

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 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Frisch 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Frisch has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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 Frisch was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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