Fraley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany-Alt
Germany
Ireland

The surname Fraley belongs to the category of surnames that were derived from nicknames, usually based on a personal or physical characteristic of the initial bearer. In this instance, the name is derived from the Middle High German word "vraelich," which means "happy," or "cheerful." Thus, this surname evolved from a nickname for a merry and cheerful person. For example, Otto von Osterreich, the Duke of Austria in 1331, was nicknamed "der (the) Frohliche."

Early Origins of the Fraley family

The surname Fraley was first found in Hessen, where bearers of this surname were an integral part of the early mediaeval Feudal System, that would become the basis of European society. The earliest record of this surname dates back to the thirteenth century, when one Hertwicus dictus Vrolich was recorded in Ingelheim, in the region of Hesse, in 1269. There is also record of a Wyckenendus dictus Frolich, who was a blacksmith in Bodenheim, in 1315.

Early History of the Fraley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fraley research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1650 and 1692 are included under the topic Early Fraley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraley Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Frolich, Frohlich, Frohlck, Frolking, Fraily, Fraley, Frolick, Froelick, Frolicker, Frohlich, Frohlick, Froelig, Froellich, Froellick, Froehlick and many more.

Early Notables of the Fraley family

More information is included under the topic Early Fraley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraley Ranking

In the United States, the name Fraley is the 2,552^nd most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1

Fraley migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fraley Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexdr Fraley, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1727 2
Frederick Fraley, who arrived in North Carolina in 1766 2
John Fraley, whose Oath of Allegiance was recorded in Pennsylvania in 1777
John Fraley went to Pennsylvania in 1777

Fraley Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Maria Fraley went to Philadelphia in 1804
Jeremiah Fraley, aged 30, who landed in New York, NY in 1846 2
Thomas Fraley immigrated to New Orleans in 1850
Patrick Fraley, who settled in Fairfield Co. Ohio in 1856
Christian Fraley, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1865 2

Fraley migration to Australia +

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

Fraley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Pat. Fraley, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Osceola" 3

Contemporary Notables of the name Fraley (post 1700) +

Bradford Fraley (1878-1942), American Olympic fencer
Frederick Fraley (1804-1901), American businessman, politician, and civic leader
Oscar Fraley (1914-1994), American co-author, with Eliot Ness, of the famous American memoir The Untouchables
Henry "Hank" F. Fraley (b. 1977), American football offensive lineman
Patrick "Pat" Fraley (b. 1949), American voice actor
Robert T Fraley, American who received the 1998 National Medal of Technology as part of a team who pioneered achievements in plant biology and agricultural biotechnology, and was Co-President of the agricultural sector

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) OSCEOLA / ASCEOLA 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Osceola-Asceola.htm