Freeman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Freeman

What does the name Freeman mean?

When the Strongbownians began to settle in Ireland, they initially ignored the established Gaelic system for developing of patronymic names and solely relied on their own traditional naming practices. Eventually, however, the two differing customs drew upon one another to some degree. The Strongbow settlers, unlike their Gaelic neighbors, frequently used nickname surnames. These Anglo-Norman nicknames were frequently of two types: “oath names” and “imperative names.” Oath names often carried blessings or were formed from habitual expressions. Imperative names, formed from a verb added to a noun or an adverb, metaphorically described the bearer’s occupations. The nick name surname Freeman is derived from a nickname for a free-born man. The surname Freeman is derived from the Old English words “freomann” and “frigmann,” which both mean freeman. The surname Freeman is also used as an Anglicized version of Mac an tSaoir, which means son of the craftsman.

Early Origins of the Freeman family

The surname Freeman was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they were granted lands by Strongbow after the invasion of Ireland in 1172.

Freeman Spelling Variations

During the lifetime of an individual person, his name was often spelt by church officials and medieval scribes the way it sounded. An examination of the many different origins of each name has revealed many spelling variations for the name: Freeman, Freman and others.

Early Notables of the Freeman family

Notable amongst the family up to this time was

• Freeman of Castle Cor

Freeman World Ranking

In the United States, the name Freeman is the 123^rd most popular surname with an estimated 184,038 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Freeman is ranked the 596^th most popular surname with an estimated 8,448 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Freeman is the 751^st popular surname with an estimated 57 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Freeman as 176^th with 17,943 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Freeman as 291^st with 2,089 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Freeman as 207^th with 27,270 people. 6

 Freeman migration to the United States+

During the middle of the 19th century, Irish families often experienced extreme poverty and racial discrimination in their own homeland under English rule. Record numbers died of disease and starvation and many others, deciding against such a fate, boarded ships bound for North America. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Unfortunately, many of those Irish that arrived in Canada or the United States still experienced economic and racial discrimination. Although often maligned, these Irish people were essential to the rapid development of these countries because they provided the cheap labor required for the many canals, roads, railways, and other projects required for strong national infrastructures. Eventually the Irish went on to make contributions in the less backbreaking and more intellectual arenas of commerce, education, and the arts. Research early immigration and passenger lists revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Freeman:

Freeman Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Bernardns Freeman, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1620 7
• Domine Bernardus Freeman, who landed in New Netherland(s) in 1620 7
• Ralph Freeman who settled in Virginia in 1622 aboard the ship “Margaret & John”, he died in 1624
• Thomas Freeman, who arrived in Virginia in 1622 7
• Bridges Freeman, who landed in Virginia in 1623 7
• … (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Freeman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Edward Freeman, who arrived in Virginia in 1705 7
• Thomas Freeman, who arrived in America in 1706 7
• Abraham Freeman, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1731 7
• Abram Freeman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1731 7
• Georg Freeman, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1739 7