Fraize History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The origins of the Fraize 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 Fraize 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 Fraize surname.

Early Origins of the Fraize family

The surname Fraize 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 Fraize family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fraize 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 Fraize History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraize 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 Fraize family

Notable among the family at this time was

Sir Alexander Fraizer (1610?-1681), was a Scottish physician, declared by the king to be an excellent physician; Sir Alexander Fraser, 1st Baronet (c.?1607-1681), principal physician to King Charles I...

Migration of the Fraize family to Ireland

Some of the Fraize 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.

Migration of the Fraize family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: John Frazer, who purchased land in New England in 1684 and Margaret Frazer, who landed in the West Indies in the same year; David Fraser settled in Barbados in 1745.

Contemporary Notables of the name Fraize (post 1700) +

Peter Fraize, American saxophonist and George Washington University professor, founder of the Peter Fraize Quintet

The Fraize 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.