Name of the Week: Fraser

 

Origin:

Fraser is a Scottish surname-turned-first name which is of uncertain origin. Earliest forms of the surname include de Frisselle, de Freseliere and de Fresel* which suggests it was a Norman name — the clan have historically claimed kinship with the Angevin family of de Frézelière (still in use as a surname in Anjou today) — though there is no surviving place name in France which corresponds with it.  It is possible that the Clan had an original Gaelic name that became corrupted heavily by medieval scribes and made to look more French (the lingua franca). Another theory is that Fraser derives from the French fraisiers "strawberry plants," as the clan lands in Neidpath were abundant with strawberries. Certainly, the clan name soon became Fraissier and the Frasers adopted the strawberry on their coat of arms.  This is a bit of a chicken-or-egg situation. It could be that the name of the Clan actually derives from the French word for strawberry: there is a legend of a nobleman from Bourbon named Julius de Berry entertained Charles the Simple of France with a dish of strawberries. De Berry was then later knighted, changing his name from ‘de Berry’ to ‘de Frezeliere’. His direct descendants were to become the lords of Neidpath Castle.* However, not only is this origin highly disputed as a fanciful origin story, [the French word fraisier “strawberry plant” is not recorded in French before the first part of the 14th century and the Old French word for strawberry was fraie, not fraise*] it is simply more likely that the adoption of the strawberry plant was an example of canting arms (heraldic bearings that represent the bearer's name in a visual pun or rebus) which was very common in the Middle Ages.  So, more likely, Clan Fraser used the strawberry on its arms because it sounded like Fraser, and not the other way around.

Usage:

The first Fraser recorded in Scotland was Simon Fraser in East Lothian, who, in 1160, made the gift of a church to the Tironensian monks at Kelso Abbey.  A few generations later, another Simon Fraser (d. 1306), known as “the Patriot,” who fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence alongside William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.  His cousin, Sir Alexander Fraser of Touchfraser and Cowie (d.1332), married Bruce's sister, and became Chamberlain of Scotland. From him, the Frasers of Philorth who are chiefs of the senior Clan Fraser are descended. His brother, another Sir Simon Fraser was the ancestor of the chiefs of the branch Clan Fraser of Lovat. Like most surnames, Fraser was adopted as a given name from the 17th century.  click to enlarge Data from the 1881 census (see image, right) demonstrates how its use as a first name was parallel with areas where the surname was most common, particularly Inverness where Clan Fraser was historically based.  In England and Wales, Fraser wasn't unheard of as a given name. Initially it was very rare, but by the end of the 19th century it was averaging 2-3 births per year. This picked up by the 1940s when it was more like 15 births per year.  In Scotland, Fraser was common as a family middle name, but initially uncommon as a given name. It rose over the 19th century, however, and by 1950, it had broken into the Scottish top 100 at #82. It has been in the top 100 ever since.  Fraser reached the Scottish top 50 in 1983 and remained there until 2008. It peaked at #30 with 292 births in 1997.  The spelling Frazer is less common, but ranked in the top 200 in Scotland consistently every year from 1977 to 1999. It peaked at #114 with 39 births in 1990.  In 2017, Fraser ranked #73 (90 births) and Frazer ranked #442 (7 births) in Scotland. In England and Wales, Fraser is less common, but since 1996, it has mostly ranked within the top 200. It peaked with 296 births (ranked #170) in 2007.  In 2016, Fraser ranked #238 (232 births) and Frazer ranked #621 (57 births) in England and Wales.

Famous Bearers:

History: * Sir Simon Fraser (d. 1306), fought in the Wars of Scottish Independence. * Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat (1667–1747), Scottish Jacobite and Chief of Clan Fraser. * Simon Fraser of Lovat (1726–1782), Jacobite leader and British general during the Seven Years' War and American Revolutionary War. * Simon Fraser of Balnain (1729–1777), British general during the American Revolutionary War. * Simon Fraser (1776–1862), Canadian explorer. Contemporary: * Fraizer Campbell, British professional footballer. * Fraser Walters, singer from the operatic pop group The Tenors. Literature and Other Media: * Dr. Frasier Crane, character on TV's Cheers and Frasier. * Frazer Yeats, character on Australian TV soap Neighbours (2006-08).  Other: * Fraser Fir, a species of fir tree. * Fraser Island, island along the coast of Queensland.

Variants:

Frazer, Frasier, Frazier

Pronunciation:

FRAY-zer [key]

Possible Diminutives:

Fray, Ray, Faze

Sibling Names:

Orla     Skye     Robyn     Iona     Mirren     Esme  Austin     Brodie     Murray     Leon     Blair     Lachlan

Name Lists:

Celtic Surnames   Arboreal Names

 

If you like Fraser you may also like:   Fletcher, Cole, Flynn, Blake, Rory, Monty, Alistair, Maxwell, Gregor, Lennox

Thanks to Cory Ann for requesting this name.