Surname Manfrai - Meaning and Origin
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Manfrai: What does the surname Manfrai mean?
The last name Manfrai is an Italian origin name which is thought to have originated from the area of Manfredonia in the south of Italy. The name likely comes from the old Germanic personal name Manfred. In Italy, the Manfrai surname was likely initially taken on by a select few families over the centuries because the name is fairly uncommon today.
The Manfrai surname may have been adopted by families as an indication of their noble heritage, or to distinguish themselves from other families in the same region. Manfredonia was under the control of various Italian royal families throughout history, so it’s possible that these families adopted the surname to indicate their connections to the noble classes.
The Manfrai surname may also have been a representation of a family’s trade or profession. This may have been the case for some of the early families which carried the name, particularly those who had moved to the Adriatic coastal region of Italy. Alternatively, the name could have been taken on by traders who wanted to honor their patron, Manfred.
Despite its long history, the Manfrai surname is still relatively uncommon today. Those who carry the name can take pride in knowing it has a long and proud history in Italy.
Order DNA origin analysisManfrai: Where does the name Manfrai come from?
The last name Manfrai is most commonly found in French-speaking regions of the world today. It is primarily most common in France, as well as its former colonies and countries historically influenced by France. Depending on how the name is spelled, it is also sometimes found in surrounding countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg. Manfrai is particularly common in Normandy, located in the north of France. This region has been inhabited since the Iron Age and was the site of much history during the Hundred Years' War.
Within France, Manfrai is most commonly found in the Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions of the country. These regions have seen their population grow fairly steadily over the past centuries, offering families the chance to stay in one place or the opportunity to expand into surrounding regions. Manfrai is a name that has been carried across these regions over the years.
Apart from France and its former colonies, Manfrai can also be found in the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, and other parts of the world as a result of French migration and colonization. Families with the Manfrai surname have often gone on to become successful in their new homes and have remained connected to their French roots.
Variations of the surname Manfrai
The surname Manfrai is most commonly seen in India or areas of British heritage. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Manfraaya", meaning 'traveller'. Variant spellings include Manfray, Manfraiy, Manfeai, Manfrayi, and Manfryan.
Related and cognate surnames of Manfrai include: Mandrekar, Manfray, Manfeai, Manfrayh, Manfreys, Manfroi, Manfroy, Manfrey, Mafray, Manfro, Manfrayh, Mannfricke, Mannfris, Mannfrei and Mannfroe.
Manfray and Manfrayi are derived from the French words "mâne" and "frayer" which mean to 'break the bread'. The word Manfrayi translates to 'as much food as necessary'. Manfro and Manfroy (which are also variants of Manfrai) come from the Mafura (or Mahfra) region in India.
The variants Manfroi, Manfro, Manfrey and Mannfroe come from the Nordic countries where they originated from. This is likely due the Scandinavian connection and the movement of traders in the past. These variants originate from the Old Norse root words maðr (meaning man) and frae (meaning traveller).
It is common for people with the surname Manfrai to have it anglicized as Manfry, Manfrey or Manfroi, as the spelling can be difficult to pronounce. Other variants may include Mannfricke, Mannfris, Mannfrei and Manfroei, which are all associated with Manfrai.
Famous people with the name Manfrai
- Santo Manfrai: He was an early 20th century Italian professional tennis player who won several titles on the Italian professional tour.
- Anna Manfrai: She was an Italian opera singer who was most active during the early 20th century.
- Vittorio Manfrai: He was a professional wrestler who competed in Italy in the late 19th century.
- Paolo Manfrai: He was an Italian botanist and plant explorer who traveled to remote areas of the globe in order to study and collect new specimens.
- Cesare Manfrai: He was a physician, writer, and scientist active during the early 20th century.
- Adele Manfrai: She was an Italian poet and novelist who is remembered today for her involvement in the Futurism movement.
- Melania Manfrai: She was an early 20th century operatic soprano known for her interpretation of roles in the operas of Verdi and Puccini.
- Alfredo Manfrai: He was an Italian architect who was active throughout the early 20th century and is remembered today for his influential art deco influenced works.
- Antonio Manfrai: He was an Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician who made several important contributions to the field of astrophysics.
- Fabrizio Manfrai: He was an Italian architect and designer known for creating several innovative office building designs during the 1940s and 50s.