Origin of the surname Frays

Recorded in several spelling forms including: Fry, Frye, Fray, Free, the patronymic Frays, this interesting medieval English surname has two possible sources. The first is as a nickname from the pre 7th Century word 'freo' meaning "free born" or not a serf, and not belonging to a lord. This version was originally confined mainly to the south and southwest of England. The second origin is from another nickname, this time for a small person from the word 'fry' meaning offspring or small person. The surname is first recorded in the late 12th Century (see below), whilst early recordings include: Thomas le Frye in the Hundred Rolls of Wiltshire for the year 1273, and Walter le Free in the same Wiltshire rolls odf the same year.

Later examples taken from surviving early church registers include: Anne Frayes who married William Fowle at St Mary Magdalene, Bermondsey, on October 20th 1557, and David Fry, who married Judith Berry at St. Dunstan's in the East, Stepney, on October 28th 1589. Amongst the interesting name bearers was Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845). She became a Quaker minister at the age of 29, and thereafter was tireless in her work as a prison reformer, also inducing the government to regulate the transportation of criminals to Australia. The first recorded spelling of the family name is believed to be that of William Frie. This was dated 1195, in the Pipe Rolls of the county of Sussex, during the reign of Richard 1st of England known as 'The Lionheart', 1189-1199. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Frays. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

Research into the possible origins of frays leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname. The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname frays is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation.

The surname Frays around the world

There is a considerable probability that frays has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where frays is most abundant are the following. The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname frays provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Frays

The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named frays are found in every look back in the history of this lineage. For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname frays, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of frays developed.

It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of frays could be modified. We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about frays and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Frays

We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname frays, even though not all have been documented to our present day. Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname frays were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname frays who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.

The surname Frays and its bibliographic sources

The bibliography collects information related to the surname frays, which allows us to learn more about its meaning. The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of frays are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of frays, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Frays