Recorded in several spelling forms including Frede, Freak (England) Freda, Fredi, Friad (German), Freddi and Frediani (Italian), and others, this is a surname which is ultimately of Germanic origins. It is derived from the 5th century personal name Frid or Fred meaning peace, usually recorded with various suffix particularly "ric" meaning power, as in the name Frederick. It was introduced into England not by the Anglo-Saxons, but by the later Norman invaders after 1066. As 'Frederich' it was a hereditary name amongst the Hohenstaufen family who ruled both Prussia and Austria, and this no doubt contributed to its popularity in Central Europe. In England the Duke of York, and son of King George 111 was Augustus Frederick (1763 - 1827), who married the eldest daughter of Frederick William II of Prussia in 1791. He was made guardian of his father in 1818. Going back in time, records show that Konrad Fride was the parish priest of Markgroningen, Ludwigsburg, Germany, in 1353, Simon Friderci was a witness at Chemnitz, Germany, in 1503, and in Italy, Giovanni Frediani was baptised at Pieve San Paolo, Lucca, on July 19th 1659, and Rodolfo Fredi was born at Todi, Perugia, on June 18th 1861. The first recorded spelling of the family name in any form is probably that of Walter Frethryk. This was dated 1275, in the charters known as 'The Hundred Rolls' of the county of Suffolk. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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