Show ContentsFrost History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Frost is rooted in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. It was a name for someone who was a person who was the Descendant of Frost (one born at the time of frost.) [1]

"Frost is the name of a dwarf in the Scandinavian mythology, and our nursery hero, 'Jack Frost,' may be derived from that source." [2]

Fancifully and less likely, it could have been a nickname for someone thought of as having a cold attitude or and icy disposition or a person may have also received this surname because of his white hair or his white beard.

Early Origins of the Frost family

The surname Frost was first found in Hampshire where William Forst was recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. From this earliest record, we found about ten years later, Gilbert Frost c. 1095 in Suffolk. [3]

"The name of Frost has been established in Norfolk ever since the 13th century, when the Frosts resided here in numbers. In the 15th and 16th centuries Frost was a common name amongst the Norfolk clerics. The name also occurs now in other parts of England, particularly in Derbyshire and Somerset. In the 13th century it not only characterized Norfolk but also Cambridgeshire and in a less degree Suffolk." [4]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 included: Henry Frost, Norfolk; and Robert Frost, Lincolnshire. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed: Johannes Froste; and Dionisius Frost 1370 as both holding lands there at that time. [5]

The famed poet Robert Frost (1874-1963), who received four Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry was born in California, but his father descended from Nicholas Frost of Tiverton, Devon who had sailed to New Hampshire in 1634 on the Wolfrana.

Early History of the Frost family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frost research. Another 98 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1095, 1273, 1298, 1379, 1626, 1641, 1656, 1700, 1750, 1782 and 1842 are included under the topic Early Frost History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frost Spelling Variations

Frost has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Frost have been found, including Frost, Froste and others.

Early Notables of the Frost family

Notables of the family at this time include

  • John Frost (1626?-1656), English nonconformist divine, born at Langham, Suffolk, in or about 1626, was the eldest son of John Frost, rector of Fakenham in the same county. "After attending schools at...
  • John Frost (1750-1842), Secretary of the Corresponding Society, born in October 1750, was educated at Winchester School, and brought up as an attorney. "He early devoted himself to the study of politi...

Frost World Ranking

In the United States, the name Frost is the 728th most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. [6] However, in Australia, the name Frost is ranked the 325th most popular surname with an estimated 10,930 people with that name. [7] And in New Zealand, the name Frost is the 256th popular surname with an estimated 2,375 people with that name. [8] The United Kingdom ranks Frost as 259th with 23,100 people. [9]

Ireland Migration of the Frost family to Ireland

Some of the Frost family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Frost migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Frosts to arrive on North American shores:

Frost Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Nicholas Frost, who settled in Maine in 1630
  • William Frost, who arrived in New York State in 1630
  • Nicholas Frost, who arrived in Maine in 1634 [10]
  • Edmund Frost, a church Elder, on record in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635
  • Edmund Frost, who arrived in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1635 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Frost Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Robert Frost, who arrived in New England in 1730 [10]
  • Thomas Frost, who landed in America in 1765 [10]
  • Laurens Frost, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1774 [10]
  • Martin Frost, who arrived in New York, NY in 1782 [10]
  • John Frost, who arrived in New York in 1789 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Frost Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • David Frost, aged 28, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1807 [10]
  • Christian Peterson Frost, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1829 [10]
  • James Frost, who arrived in New York, NY in 1836 [10]
  • Joseph Frost, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1844 [10]
  • Alfred Thomas Frost, who landed in New York in 1846 [10]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Frost migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Frost Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Thomas Frost, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • Thomas Frost, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Hanah Frost, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Sarni Frost, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Capt. William Frost U.E. (b. 1749) born in Georgia, USA from Stamford, Connecticut, USA who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1783 arriving aboard the ship "Two Sisters" with wife Sarah née Schofield he died in 1827 in Kingston, New Brunswick [11]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Frost Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Miss. Judith Frost who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Odessa" departing from the port of Dublin, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 [12]
  • Mr. Thomas Frost, aged 23 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing 11th July 1847 from Sligo, Ireland; the ship arrived on 20th August 1847 but he died on board [13]

Australia Frost migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Frost Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Frost, English convict who was convicted in Devon, England for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 16th January 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [14]
  • Mr. William Frost, English convict who was convicted in Suffolk, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" in May 1816, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [15]
  • Mr. Richard Frost, (b. 1800), aged 17, English carpenter who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1863 [16]
  • Robert Frost, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "Almorah" on April 1817, settling in New South Wales, Australia [17]
  • Mr. Thomas Frost, (b. 1800), aged 18, English carter who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Baring" in December 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [18]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Frost migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Frost Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Dennis Frost, aged 45, a farm labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
  • Lydia Frost, aged 44, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
  • William Frost, aged 23, a groom, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
  • Emma Frost, aged 21, a domestic servant, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
  • Edward Frost, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Mariner" in 1849
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

West Indies Frost migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. [19]
Frost Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Frost, who settled in St. Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635
  • Mr. Thomas Frost, (b. 1607), aged 28, British settler traveling aboard the ship "John" arriving in St Christopher (Saint Kitts) in 1635 [20]

Contemporary Notables of the name Frost (post 1700) +

  • Robert Frost (1874-1963), American poet, recipient of four Pulitzer Prizes (1924, 1931, 1937, and 1943)
  • David "Dave" Frost (1952-2023), born Carl David Frost, an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the White Sox (1978), California Angels (1978–1981), and Kansas City Royals (1982)
  • Wilson Frost (1925-2018), American politician from Cairo, Illinois, City of Chicago Alderman (1967-1987)
  • Major General Kathryn G. Frost (1948-2006), commander of the United States Army and Air Force Exchange Service from August 2002 to April 2005 and at the time of her retirement, she was the highest-ranking woman in the United States Army
  • Edwin Brant Frost II (1866-1935), American astronomer and editor of the Astrophysical Journal from 1902 to 1932
  • Arthur Burdett "A.B." Frost (1851-1928), American illustrator, graphic artist, and comics writer
  • Lauren Frost (b. 1985), American actress and singer [21]
  • Sarah Frances Frost (1865-1950), birth name of Julia Marlowe, the English-born American actress known for her interpretations of William Shakespeare
  • Arthur Chester Frost (b. 1886), American politician, U.S. Consul General in Prague, 1929-31; Calcutta, 1932; Zurich, 1938-40; Barcelona, 1940; Toronto, 1945-47 [22]
  • Archie N. Frost, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1916, 1920 [22]
  • ... (Another 85 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Air New Zealand Flight 901
  • Mrs. Katherine Edith Janet Frost (1953-1979), New Zealander passenger, from Mt. Roskill, Auckland, New Zealand aboard the Air New Zealand Flight 901 for an Antarctic sightseeing flight when it flew into Mount Erebus; she died in the crash [23]
Bismarck
  • Helmut Frost (1922-1941), German Matrose who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking [24]
Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. John William  Frost, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [25]
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Joseph H O Frost, British Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [26]
  • Mr. John Frost, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking [26]
HMS Repulse
  • Mr. Charles Daniel Frost, British Painter 1st Class, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and died in the sinking [27]
HMS Royal Oak
  • Albert V. Frost, British Boy 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [28]
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Harry Robinson Frost, Canadian 2nd Class passenger from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [29]
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Anthony Wood "Archie" Frost (d. 1912), aged 37, Irish Second Class passenger from Belfast, Ireland who sailed aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking [30]


Suggested Readings for the name Frost +

  • Benjamin Frost, a Texan from Tennessee by Ruth Hollar.
  • The Descendants of John Frost, Jr. and Rebecca York Frost of Jackson County, Missouri by Earle W. Frost.

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  11. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  12. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 29)
  13. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 76)
  14. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  15. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 1st March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  16. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
  17. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Almorah voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1817 with 180 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/almorah/1817
  18. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 16th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/baring
  19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
  20. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved October 4th 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/daphne
  21. Lauren Frost. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Lauren Frost. Retrieved from http://www.laurenfrost.com/
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  25. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  26. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
  27. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
  28. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  29. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  30. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html


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