Show ContentsFrethy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Frethy family

The surname Frethy was first found in Staffordshire at Fradley, a village and civil parish in Lichfield District. Fradley heath formed part of the extensive waste of Alrewas-Hay, but was inclosed about 1805. 1 The village dates back to the 12 century when it was first recorded as 'Frodeleye', or 'Frod's lea'. Alrewas and Fradley, was a large civil parish that was divided into the two new parishes of Alrewas and Fradley in 2009.

Early History of the Frethy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Frethy research. Another 129 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1167, 1214, 1463, 1510 and 1600 are included under the topic Early Frethy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Frethy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Frethy have been found, including Friday, Fridaye, Freeday, Freyday, Feraday, Fareday, Fryeday, Farraday, Farady, Fridey, Faraday, Frieday, Fryday and many more.

Early Notables of the Frethy family

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


New Zealand Frethy 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:

Frethy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Frethy, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Justine


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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