Surname Freeman - Meaning and Origin
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My Journey into the Freeman Heritage: A review of the iGENEA DNA Test
Embarking on a journey of DNA discovery through iGENEA, the journey led me from my roots in Anglo-Saxon history, interwoven with Freeman name, to connecting with distant relatives scattered around the globe.
O. Freeman
read moreFreeman: What does the surname Freeman mean?
The surname Freeman is an English/Scottish toponymic name derived from the Old English and Scots word ‘freomann’ or ‘frieman,’ meaning ‘free man’ or ‘man of freedom.’ The people or status it referred to were known as freemen of a particular community. In Anglo-Saxon Britain and Scotland, those with Freeman status were exempt from many duties that were expected of other citizens and often held the right to vote.
The Freeman surname often indicates a person of noble birth as well. Normally this denoted someone who had been born into a privileged position or who gained that status as the result of service to a monarchy. These people were intermediaries between the nobility and the common classes; they were distinguished from the aristocracy as they were not viewed as noble in title, but in character.
The Freeman surname is believed to have first been used in Britain during the Middle Ages and would have been adopted by many families. It is a popular surname, found across most parts of the English-speaking world today. It is a reminder of the long-standing tradition of the Freeman as a sign of status, privilege, and duty to the community.
Order DNA origin analysisFreeman: Where does the name Freeman come from?
The last name Freeman is quite common across many parts of the world today. In the United States, it ranks among the top 300 surnames, according to the US Census Bureau. It is especially prevalent in the South of the United States, in states such as Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Georgia, where it was first found in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In England, the last name Freeman is also quite common, with it ranking in the top 500 surnames. This is believed to be due to the number of immigrants who came to England from the United States during the 19th Century.
In Canada, the last name Freeman is less common, ranking in the top 1000 surnames. Here it is mainly due to both English and American immigrants who settled in the country during the same period.
In Australia, the last name Freeman is not as common. However, it still ranks in the top 2000 surnames. This is likely due to American and British immigrants who arrived in the country during the 19th century.
Overall, the last name Freeman is a relatively common surname. Due to immigration and settlement patterns in the past, it is found mainly in the United States, England, Canada and Australia, but it is also found in many other countries.
Variations of the surname Freeman
Freeman is a surname of English and Scottish origin. It is an occupational name for a person who enjoyed certain rights of a free tenant, or soldier who had been discharged after serving his term of service. Variants of the surname are Freman, Friedmann, Friman, and Frewman.
In England, Freeman is an occupational name that comes from the Old English freo and mann, meaning "free man". This surname was widespread among the Norman conquerors, who held military service grants on the lands of William the Conqueror.
In Scotland, the Freeman surname dates back to as far as the 13th century. Variants of the name include Frewman and Friman, both of which suggest a Norman origin. Early records of this surname in Scotland include William de Freman, who was recorded in the Ragman Rolls in 1296 and a ,"Fremman" of the city of Aberdeen in 1520.
The surname Freeman has another origin in Jewish families. This surname can be a transliteration of the German Friedmann, which is an Ashkenazic diminutive of the male given name Friedrich (meaning "peaceful ruler"). This form of the surname is most common amongst Ashkenazic Jews of Central and Eastern Europe.
Outside of the English and Scottish variants of the surname, Freeman has also been a popular adopted surname among African-Americans, with its use dating back to the time of slavery. Since former slaves had to adopt surnames from their owners, many selected Freeman as their new name.
Famous people with the name Freeman
- Morgan Freeman: Morgan Freeman is an Oscar-winning actor, best known for his roles in The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby and The Dark Knight trilogy.
- Martin Freeman: Martin Freeman is an English actor, best known for his roles in The Hobbit films, The Office, Fargo and Sherlock.
- Jonathon Freeman: Jonathon Freeman is an English actor and singer and voice artist known for providing the voice of Jafar in Disney's Aladdin and its sequels.
- Lydia Freeman: Lydia Freeman is an American scientist, hematologist, and cancer researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of oncology.
- Bernard Freeman: Bernard Freeman, better known as rapper Bun B, is an American hip-hop artist and record producer.
- H. Freeman Matthews: H. Freeman Matthews was an American mathematician and pioneering computer scientist who helped develop the first all-electronic digital computer in 1941.
- Buck Freeman: Buck Freeman, nicknamed "The Behemoth of Batters," was a professional baseball player best known as the Major League's first home-run king.
- Samuel Freeman: Samuel Freeman was an English philosopher and social theorist considered to be a founding member of the English Utilitarian school of philosophy.
- Freida Lee Mutyambizi-Freeman: Freida Lee Mutyambizi-Freeman is an American television producer, executive producer and showrunner known for her work on shows like The Good Place and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.
- Brendan Freeman: Brendan Freeman is a British-born mixed media artist whose work has been exhibited both in London and internationally.