Fraser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland-Alt 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 


The origins of the Fraser family name are somewhat of a mystery. The earliest recorded versions of the name, from the 12th century, are de Fresel, de Friselle and de Freseliere, which appear to be Norman; however they have never been found in Normandy itself. The other possibility is that the name was derived from Gaelic, but no-one has been able to locate a Gaelic name from which Fraser might be derived. It is thought that it was in later years that the "fraisse," or strawBerry was adopted as part of the Armorial bearings of this family due to the similarity of the pronunciation of this French word to the Fraser surname.

Early Origins of the Fraser family

The surname Fraser was first found in Tweedale, Peebles-shire, where Sir Simon Frasee held part of the lands of Keith. There is a record of Symon Fraser giving the church of Keith to the Abbey of Kelso in Circa 1160. Early records include Gilbert Fraser, who witnessed a charter by Walter Olifard in 1210. A later Sir Simon known as "the Scottish Patriot" was a supporter of Sir William Wallace in the struggle for independence.

Early History of the Fraser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fraser research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1293, 1302, 1332, 1375, 1537, 1607, 1610, 1623, 1654, 1667, 1681, 1692, 1715, 1746, 1747 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Fraser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraser Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Frazer, Fraser, Frasher, Frisell, Frasee, Frazie, Frazier, Friselle, Fresser, Friser, Fryssar, Fressell, Fresal, Fresale, Frichell, Fraysser, Fresall, Fresle, Fresill, Fressair, Fraisser and many more.

Early Notables of the Fraser family

Notable among the family at this time was

Fraser World Ranking

In the United States, the name Fraser is the 1,372nd most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Fraser is ranked the 65th most popular surname with an estimated 34,669 people with that name. 3 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Fraser is the 567th popular surname. 4 Australia ranks Fraser as 101st with 25,709 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Fraser as 76th with 4,634 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Fraser as 177th with 30,803 people. 7

Migration of the Fraser family to Ireland

Some of the Fraser family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Fraser migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fraser Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Fraser Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Fraser Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Fraser Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Fraser migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fraser Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Fraser Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Fraser migration to Australia +

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

Fraser Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Fraser 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:

Fraser Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Fraser 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. 15
Fraser Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Fraser (post 1700) +


The Fraser 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: Je suis prest
Motto Translation: I am ready.


Suggested Readings for the name Fraser +
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