Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Friedrich

      Origin

      German

      Meaning

      Peaceful Ruler

      Variations

      Fredricka, Fredrica, Fredrick
      The name Friedrich is of German origin and derived from the Old High German words fridu meaning peace and rihhi meaning ruler. Combined, the name Friedrich signifies a peaceful ruler. This name holds historical significance as it has been borne by several notable figures throughout history. One prominent historical figure is Friedrich Barbarossa, a Holy Roman Emperor who reigned during the 12th century. Known for his military campaigns and attempts to consolidate his rule, Friedrich Barbarossa left a lasting impact on European history. Additionally, Friedrich Nietzsche, a renowned philosopher of the 19th century, further contributed to the prominence of the name Friedrich. Nietzsche's works on morality, culture, and philosophy made him a central figure in Western intellectual history.

      In modern-day usage, the name Friedrich continues to enjoy popularity within German-speaking countries, where it serves as a testament to the nation's cultural heritage. While it may not be as widely used as more common names, Friedrich still retains a sense of nobility and strength. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional names, including Friedrich, as parents seek to bestow unique and meaningful names upon their children. The name Friedrich continues to carry the connotation of a harmonious leader, a reminder of the importance of peace and stability in an ever-changing world.

      Based on our records...

      Schmidt

      Schmidt

      This is the most common surname associated with Friedrich.
      Wilhelmine

      Wilhelmine

      This is the most common name of those married to a Friedrich.
      Friedrich

      Friedrich

      This is the most common name for a child of a Friedrich.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1850 is when there were the most people born with the first name Friedrich.

      Explore the origins of another name.