Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Friedland

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Friedland?

The surname Friedland is of German and Jewish origin. It translates to "freie land" in German, meaning "free land." This name was often given to people who lived on free or unclaimed land, or as a nickname for someone who came from such an area. In its Jewish context, it may have been used as a topographical name for someone who lived near a cleared piece of land. The name is also found in various Slavic languages and can mean "peaceful land" or "clear land."

Learn more about the origin of the last name Friedland

The meaning and origin of the last name Friedland

The surname Friedland is of German and Jewish origin, derived from a place name indicating that an individual once lived near or owned land associated with the word "Friede" (meaning peace) or "Friederich" (a medieval male given name). Over time, this geographical name was used as a surname by those who resided in these areas or had some association with them. The spelling of the name has evolved over centuries due to various phonetic and orthographic changes, leading to variations such as Friedländer, Freideland, and Frydland. Its popularity increased among Jewish families living in Germany before their displacement during the Holocaust, spreading the surname globally through migration.

Geographical distribution of the last name Friedland

The surname Friedland is predominantly distributed across Europe, particularly in regions with historical Jewish communities. In Germany, it originated from various locations including Brandenburg, Hesse, and Saxony. It also has a significant presence in Austria, especially in the provinces of Lower Austria, Vienna, and Salzburg. The name can also be found in Poland, primarily in areas that were once part of the Kingdom of Prussia or the Austrian Empire. In addition, there are notable populations of people with the last name Friedland in Russia, particularly in the regions around Moscow and Saint Petersburg, as a result of historical Jewish migration. Furthermore, the surname is present in Israel due to immigration from Europe during the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Friedland

The surname Friedland has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Some common variations include:

1. Freideland
2. Frydland
3. Frideland
4. Frideland
5. Fridelant
6. Vriedeland
7. Friedelande (French feminine form)
8. Friedlan (shortened or informal version)
9. Von Friedland (noble prefix)
10. De Friedland (Dutch or Belgian prefix)
11. McFrydland (Irish-Scottish form with a Gaelicized name)
12. Freedland (Anglicized variation)

These variations may occur in different countries and can be found among individuals of diverse cultural backgrounds.

Famous people with the last name Friedland

Notable individuals with the surname Friedland include:

1. Jeff Friedland, an American writer and journalist who has written extensively on economics, finance, and politics. He is also the author of several books.

2. David Friedland, a prominent political scientist and urban sociologist at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has published numerous articles and books on urban politics and policy.

3. Shoshana Bean, an American singer-songwriter known for her role as Elphaba in the Broadway production of "Wicked." Born Shoshana Rachel Friedman, she later changed her surname to Bean.

4. Eric Friedlander, a Grammy Award-winning American cellist and composer. He is also a professor at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music.

5. Daniel Friedland, a psychologist and author who specializes in mindfulness-based wellness programs for individuals and organizations. He is the founder of SuperSmart Education and the mBrace Institute.

Genealogical research on the last name Friedland

The surname Friedland is of German origin and is believed to be a habitation name from any of several places called Friedland in Germany, Austria, Poland, and Russia. The name translates to "peaceful land" or "land of peace." Early records show that the name was first documented in 13th-century Germany with Heinrich de Vriedeland mentioned in records from Saxony in 1250. As German Jews, many individuals bearing the surname Friedland migrated during the Middle Ages and throughout history due to persecution, with significant populations settling in Eastern Europe, especially Poland and Russia. The name also spread to other parts of Europe, such as France, England, and the Netherlands, through migrations and trade. Notable figures with the last name Friedland include Max Friedländer, a Dutch art historian, and Günter Friedland, a German actor and singer.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

Last updated :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Frial abella

Last name • surnames > frial-abella

The last name "Frial Abella" is of Spanish origin. "Frial" is likely derived from the Spanish word "frial," which means "cold," while "Abella" is a common Spanish surname of topogr...

#2 Friala

Last name • surnames > friala

The surname Friala is of Spanish origin. It is a habitational name derived from the place called Friol or Friol in Lugo, Galicia, Spain.

#3 Friang

Last name • surnames > friang

The last name "Friang" is of French origin. It is derived from the Old French personal name "Frie", which is a form of the Germanic name "Fridu", meaning "peace". The suffix "-ang"...

#4 Frias sagales

Last name • surnames > frias-sagales

The last name "Frias Sagales" has its origin in Spain. "Frias" is a surname of Spanish origin, believed to be derived from the name of a town or village in the regions of Burgos, S...

#5 Frick

Last name • surnames > frick

The surname Frick is of German origin. It is derived from a nickname meaning "strong" or "powerful," or it could be an occupational name for a blacksmith or someone who works with ...

#6 Fricker

Last name • surnames > fricker

The surname Fricker is of English origin and is derived from a nickname or occupation. It is believed to have been given as a nickname for someone who was a "fryer" or cook, derivi...

#7 Frickes

Last name • surnames > frickes

The surname Frickes is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle Low German personal name Fridchun, which is composed of the elements frid, meaning "peace," and hun, meaning ...

#8 Fricotin

Last name • surnames > fricotin

The origin of the last name "Fricotin" is French. It is derived from the occupation of a seller of fritters or fried foods. The name may have originated from the word "fritot" or "...

#9 Fridhi

Last name • surnames > fridhi

The last name "Fridhi" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic word "fardi" which means "unique" or "individual." It is a common surname in Tunisia and other Arab-speaki...

#10 Fridman

Last name • surnames > fridman

The last name "Fridman" is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is a variant spelling of the surname "Friedman," which comes from the Yiddish word "frid," meaning "peace." The name likel...

#11 Fridrichova

Last name • surnames > fridrichova

The last name "Fridrichova" is of Czech origin. It is a feminine form derived from the personal name "Fridrich," which is the Czech form of the name "Frederick." The surname signif...

#12 Fried

Last name • surnames > fried

The surname "Fried" is of Germanic origin. It comes from the Middle High German word "vrie" which means 'peace' or 'free'. Over time, this term evolved into "Friede" in Old High Ge...

#13 Friedberg

Last name • surnames > friedberg

The last name "Friedberg" is of German origin. It is a habitational name for someone who came from any of the several places named Friedberg in Germany, which derive from the Old H...

#14 Friedl

Last name • surnames > friedl

The surname "Friedl" is of Germanic origin. It is derived from a given name, Friedrich, which means 'peaceful ruler'. The surname originated as a nickname for someone with characte...

#15 Friedman

Last name • surnames > friedman

The surname Friedman is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, derived from a medieval occupational name for a pastry cook or baker, from Middle High German "frij" meaning "free" and "mand" m...