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

Fritts, 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 Fritts surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Fritts in America

Fritts is the 5864th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Fritts surname appeared 5,883 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 Fritts.

We can also compare 2010 data for Fritts 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 Fritts

The surname Fritts is believed to have originated in England, likely in the medieval period around the 12th or 13th century. It is thought to be derived from the Old English word "frith," which means a wooded area or forest. This suggests that the name was originally an occupational name or a locational name referring to someone who lived near or worked in a wooded area.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Fritts can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Sussex from 1230, which mention a person named Robert de Frythe. Other early spellings include Fryth, Frith, and Frithe. These variations are indicative of the name's evolution over time and across different regions of England.

The name Fritts has also been associated with various place names, such as Frith in Lincolnshire and Frith Banc in Somerset. These place names may have influenced the surname or vice versa, as it was common for people to adopt surnames based on their place of origin or residence.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the surname Fritts. One example is John Frith (c. 1503-1533), an English Protestant martyr and writer who was burned at the stake for his religious beliefs during the English Reformation. Another is Samuel Frith (1589-1657), an English clergyman and academic who served as the President of Magdalen College, Oxford.

Moving forward, we find William Fritts (1686-1760), an early American settler who immigrated from England to Pennsylvania in the early 18th century. His descendants played a significant role in the history of the United States, with some becoming prominent figures in various fields.

Another notable figure was Mary Fritts (1859-1947), an American author and educator from Missouri. She was known for her work in promoting education and literacy in rural areas.

In more recent times, there have been several individuals with the surname Fritts who have achieved recognition, such as Thomas Fritts (1933-2019), an American film and television actor best known for his role in the television series "Benson."

The surname Fritts has a rich history that can be traced back to medieval England, with its origins rooted in the natural landscape and occupations of the time. While the name has evolved and spread across different regions and countries, it remains a testament to the enduring legacy of surnames and their connection to the past.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Fritts

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

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

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

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