Last name origin & meaning: German and French: from a Spanish (Visigothic) personal name
composed of the elements farð ‘journey’, ‘expedition’ (or a
metathesized form of frið ‘peace’) + nanð
‘daring’, ‘brave’. The surname is of comparatively recent origin in
German-speaking countries and in France, for the personal name was not
introduced from Spain until the late 15th century. It was brought to
Austria by the Habsburg dynasty, among whom it was a hereditary name,
and from Austria it spread to France. The Iberian cognates are of more
ancient origin and more frequently found today, since the name was
much favored in the royal house of Castile. It owes its popularity in
large part to King Ferdinand III of Castile and León (1198–1252),
who recaptured large areas of Spain from the Moors and was later
canonized. This name appears in the following lists:
Names from Shakespeare,
Pioneers/Explorers
| 
Pregnancy
Save Name
E-mail
Print
