Fretz History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The distinguished and ancient surname Fretz is derived from the Middle High German verb "vretzen," which literally means "to make to eat." The progenitor of this name was likely a servant or a kitchen worker. Alternatively, the name may be related to the Low German "freter," meaning "eater, glutton;" in this case, the name would have been initially bestowed as a nickname on someone with an unusual appetite.
Early Origins of the Fretz family
The surname Fretz was first found in the Rhineland, where the name is thought to have emerged. The young Fretz family was instrumental during this formative period, playing a major role in the early history of the region and contributing greatly to the development of the medieval society of the Rhineland.
Early History of the Fretz family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fretz research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1354, 1473, 1868 and 1941 are included under the topic Early Fretz History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Fretz Spelling Variations
Spelling variations of this family name include: Fretz, Fretzer, Freter, Vretz, Vretzer, Vreter and others.
Early Notables of the Fretz family
Notables with the name Fretz during this period were
- Klaus Fretzer (c.1473), a painter
- Hans Fretz (1868-1941), a shoe manufacturer from Aargau
Fretz migration to the United States +
Some of the first settlers of this family name were:
Fretz Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
- Math Fretz, aged 39, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Noordland" from Antwerp, Belgium 1
- Theod Fretz, aged 34, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Pennland" from Antwerp, Belgium 1
- Ludwig Fretz, aged 11, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Pennland" from Antwerp, Belgium 1
- Catharina Fretz, aged 7, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Pennland" from Antwerp, Belgium 1
- Heinrich Fretz, aged 5, who arrived in New York in 1892 aboard the ship "Pennland" from Antwerp, Belgium 1
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Fretz Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
- Paul Fretz, aged 25, who arrived in New York in 1919 from Rotterdam, Netherlands 1
- Jean Fretz, aged 23, originally from Aarau, Switzerland, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Rotterdam" from Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France 1
Contemporary Notables of the name Fretz (post 1700) +
- Jacob Millard Fretz (1913-1999), American college football coach for the Bethel Threshers
- Tory Ann Fretz (b. 1942), American amateur and professional tennis player in the 1950s and 1960s, ranked in the U.S. top ten from 1963 to 1966
- William H. Fretz, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, 1905-14 2
- M. B. Fretz, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1912 2
- John H. Fretz, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1912 2
- Joachim Fretz (1926-1994), German radio personality
- Claude Girven "Girve" Fretz (b. 1927), Canadian politician, Member of Parliament for Erie (1979-1993)
- Dr. Betty Fretz, Canadian optometrist and a member of the National Eye Research Foundation
Citations +