Frederik History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands-Alt
Netherlands
England

It was among those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain that the name Frederik was formed. The name was derived from the baptismal name Frederick. Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.

Early Origins of the Frederik family

The surname Frederik was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat from very early times.

Early History of the Frederik family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frederik research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1601, 1655, 1656, 1679 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Frederik History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frederik Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Frederik include Frederick, Fredericks, Frederic, Frary and others.

Early Notables of the Frederik family

Another 38 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Frederik Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frederik migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Frederik were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Frederik Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hans Georg Frederik, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1737 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Frederik (post 1700) +

Lodewijk Frederik Ottens (1926-2021), Dutch engineer and inventor, best known for inventing the cassette tape
Dirk Frederik Mudge (1928-2020), Namibian politician, Chairman of the Turnhalle Constitutional Conference (1975-1977)
Carl Frederik Fearnley (1818-1890), Norwegian astronomer and Professor at the Royal Frederick University, son of Thomas Fearnley
Christian Frederik Hansen (1756-1845), Danish architect
Johan Frederik Clemens (1749-1831), Danish printmaker in etching
Johannes Frederik Froehlich (1806-1860), Danish violinist, conductor and composer
Rufus Frederik Sewell (b. 1967), award-winning English actor
Johan Frederik Schlegel (1817-1896), Danish Governor-General of the Danish West Indies from 1855 to 1860
Andreas Frederik Krieger (1817-1893), Danish politician
Count Joachim Frederik Bernstorff (1771-1835), Danish statesman

The Frederik Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Prudens simplicitas beat
Motto Translation: Prudent simplicity blesses

Citations +

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)