Freiperger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Freiperger

What does the name Freiperger mean?

The Freiperger family name first began to be used in the German state of Bavaria. After the 12th century, as hereditary surnames began to be adopted, names that were derived from locations became particularly common. The family name Freiperger is a local surname. Originally denoting the proprietorship of an estate or influence within a village, the German preposition von, which means from or of, used with local names, was taken as a mark of aristocracy. The surname Freiperger was given to someone who lived in Bavaria, where they grew to prominence and significant social and cultural influence in the early Middle Ages, contributing much to the feudal life of the time. The surname Freiperger derives from the German words, frei, which means free, and berg, which means hill, and is the name of a city in Germany. This surname is therefore a local name, and would have been adopted by someone who came from Freiberg.

Early Origins of the Freiperger family

The surname Freiperger was first found in Bavaria, where since ancient times the Freiberg family had been a prominent contributor to the development of the district's feudal society. Always prominent in social affairs, the name Freiberg became an integral part of the turbulent events of the period and the family therefore formed alliances with other distinguished families.

Early History of the Freiperger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Freiperger research. Another 89 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1675 is included under the topic Early Freiperger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Freiperger Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Freiperger include Freiberg, Freibergg, Freibberg, Freyberg, Freybberg, Freybergg, Frayberg, Fraybberg, Fraybergg, Freiburg, Freiberger, Freibuerg, Freibuerger, Freiperg, Freiperger, Freyburg, Freyberger, Freyperg, Frayburg, Frayberger, Frayperg, Freyburger and many more.

Early Notables of the Freiperger family

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

Migration of the Freiperger family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Johan Casper, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1754 as did Jacob Freyberger the same year; Heinrich Freyburger settled in America in 1782; Hans Jacob Freiburger settled in Pennsylvania in 1803.