Surname Freema - Meaning and Origin
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Freema: What does the surname Freema mean?
The last name Freema is derived from the Germanic elements "Frid" meaning "peace" and "man" meaning "man". It is thought to have been derived from a person's occupation as a peacemaker or mediator. This surname is found in records from as early as the 13th century, when it was used mainly by nobles or people of high stature.
Throughout its history, the last name Freema has been traced through a variety of spellings, including Friman, Frimann, Fream, Freimann, Fryman, and Freymann. These different versions of the same name are further evidence of its Germanic origin, as the same elements are seen in various forms across the Germanic languages.
Today, the surname Freema is commonly found in North America, with its highest concentrations in the United States and Canada. Across Europe, it can still be found in Germany, Belgium, and France. Despite its Germanic origin, the surname is also seen in countries in South America, such as Colombia and Brazil.
In essence, the last name Freema is an enduring reminder of the legacy of Germanic migration and influence, with its meaning of ‘peace man’ now carried by families around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisFreema: Where does the name Freema come from?
The surname Freema is popular in countries across the Middle East, primarily within Egypt and Syria. It is most predominantly used as a surname amongst the Jewish population in the region and is believed to have been passed down through generations of Middle Eastern Jews.
The name Freema has a Hebrew origin, and is thought to have been born by a Jewish family in Egypt during the 11th century AD. Some believe the name to mean ‘free man’ and others believe it to mean ‘pleasant’.
The Freema family was one of the oldest families in the Middle East, and often migrations to other countries in the region were noted. For this reason, the surname has since spread further out than just Egypt and Syria.
Today, this surname can be found in large numbers in Israel, suggesting a large number of Jewish immigrants are living there that trace their lineage back to the Freema family. It is also popular in Southeastern Europe, and can be found in several countries in the Balkans, as well as Austria.
Elsewhere in the world, the Freema surname can be found in some parts of North and South America, where some descendants of the Middle Eastern Jews have migrated. The name is relatively unknown in the United Kingdom, where the Jewish population is much smaller.
Variations of the surname Freema
The surname Freema is of English, French, and German origin. Though the surname itself is not common, variant spellings, derivatives, and other surnames of the same origin can be found.
The variants and spellings of Freema include Freimann, Freaman, Freman, and Freymann. All these variants are Germanic, and are likely to be as equally rare as the original surname.
In English origin, Freema is thought to be a derivative of the more common surname Freeman. This is evidenced in English records of the 1700s in which 'Free' and 'Freemann' were often used interchangeably.
In French, some derivatives of Freema used in the 1700s were Frehen, Frehenne, and Fremien. All these surnames underwent several variations in spelling, including Fraymene, Freammann, and Freimon.
Similar surnames of English origin include Freman, Fremont, Freyman, Frostman, and Herriman. In German, these include Freienburger, Freimuth, Fremon, Freber, and Frimont.
All these surnames are likely to be derivatives of the same origin, originating from either the English 'Free' or the Germanic 'Frēomann'.
Regardless of the spelling or country of origin, the surname Freema can be traced to a single source.
Famous people with the name Freema
- 1.Freema Agyeman: British actress known for her roles in Doctor Who, Sense 8 and the Netflix drama series Marcella.
- Yaz (Yasmine) Freema: British singer-songwriter from London, known for her singles "No Rules" and "Mood".
- Kennedy Freema: British actress and model who has had roles in films such as My Folders From Paris and IT Chase Tops.
- Rachel Freema: British actress who has starred in TV series including Elementary U.K and upcoming Netflix series We Will Rise.
- Marley Freeman: British rapper and songwriter from Brighton, who gained popularity after the release of his debut mixtape Black Dreams, Pt. 1.
- Lena Freema: British actress, writer and director best known for her portrayal of the character Mel in the BAFTA-winning web series Enterprice.
- Eliot Freema: British film producer and director whose credits include the award-winning documentary Feature Length and the short film The Eight.
- Antony Freema: British actor and novelist, best known for his roles in holby city, the bill and the film preparation.
- Saif Freema: British-born artist, musician and model, best known for his Afro-soul and R&B music.
- Amol Freema: British actor, best known for his role as the lead character Raj in the BBC comedy series My So-Called Life.