Surname Frizzell - Meaning and Origin
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Discovering the Historical Threads of the Name 'Frizzell' through iGENEA DNA Test
My journey with the iGENEA DNA test leads me to unravel the roots of my surname Frizzell, tracing back to early Celtic tribes. The opportunity to connect with distant relatives around the globe was unexpectedly heartwarming.
E. Frizzell
read moreFrizzell: What does the surname Frizzell mean?
The last name Frizzell is of Scottish origin. This name is derived from the Scottish term "Friselle" and it was first attributed to individuals who were known for being keen, brisk, or lively. Its roots can be traced back to the Old French words "fresel" or "fresil," meaning "ash" (tree). These terms were likely used as a topographic name for someone who lived near a conspicuous ash tree. So, by its origin, the surname Frizzell is related to natural features in the landscape, signifying a strong connection to the land, perhaps to one's home region or estate. Like most surnames that were derived from the shape or type of the land where the initial bearer lived or held land, the Frizzell surname was likely first used by a local lord or big landowner. Over time, it became used as a surname to identify where one came from. It is also possible that this surname was used by Ash tree growers or people who traded timber or wood from the Ash tree. Names like this are classified as habitation names.
Order DNA origin analysisFrizzell: Where does the name Frizzell come from?
The last name Frizzell is considered to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is believed to be a surname derived from the old English compound elements "frith,” meaning ‘peace,’ and "swæpe" meaning ‘sway’ or ‘waver.’ Over time, the word evolved into "Frithuswith," which later took on various forms including Frideswide, Frideswith, and Frizzell. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Frisel, which was dated around 1296, during the reign of King John of Scotland.
Today, this surname is most prevalent in the United States, specifically within the states of South Carolina and Arkansas. It is also fairly common in Canada and, to a lesser extent, still found in the UK. The surname Frizzell is also closely associated with country and bluegrass music due to the legendary country singer Lefty Frizzell and the bluegrass artist David Frizzell, both from the United States.
Variations of the surname Frizzell
The surname Frizzell is derived from an old English given name, possibly Frey, the Norse god of fertility. There are several variants and spelling versions of this surname, which are due to local dialects and spelling variations over time. These include Frisell, Frizell, Frizzel, Frizzelle, Frazell, Frazelle, Fressell, Frizzill, and Friselle, among others. It is also possible that Frizzelle could come from Old Norse “Frisa” combining with “dell” meaning small valley.
Sometimes, a variation of a surname occurred due to a clerical error where the officiating minister wrote down the name as he heard it, leading to phonetically similar but different spelling names. Additionally, the surname Frizzell could have also been Anglicized or Americanized from a similar sounding foreign surname upon immigration. Therefore, it's also not uncommon to see very different spellings or related surnames as well.
In terms of geographical distribution, variants of the Frizzell surname are found predominately in the United Kingdom and the United States, reflecting the migration patterns of individuals who carried this surname from Europe to new lands.
Famous people with the name Frizzell
- Lefty Frizzell: An American country music singer and songwriter of the 1950s and key figure in honky-tonk music.
- David Frizzell: Younger brother of Lefty, David is also a notable country music singer who had several hits in the 1980s.
- Allen Frizzell: Another brother in the musical Frizzell family, he too pursued a career in country music.
- Mike Frizzell: A founding member of The Frizzell Group, he is popular in the real estate industry.
- Amy Frizzell: A Canadian retired soccer player and member of the Canada national team.
- Bobby Frizzell: Former Scottish professional football player, notably for the Ipswich Town football club.
- Kenna Danielle Frizzell: A notable figure within the country music scene, also known as Kenna Danielle.
- Jackson Frizzell: A noted member of the Frizzell family, he is the son of country musician David Frizzell.
- John Frizzell: A well-acclaimed American film and television composer known for his work on several remarkable movies and TV series.
- Shelly West (born Shelly Frizzell): An American country music singer notable in the 1980s. She is the daughter of Dottie West and the niece of David and Lefty Frizzell.