Frissells meaning | Last name Frissells origin

A variant of the Frisell. Probably a native of Friesland.

The is a variant of Fraser. Fraser, Fresar, Frisel, Frisele, Freshele, de Fraser and de Frisle, are seven different ways in which this name is written in "Ragman Roll" (AD 1292-1297) by seventeen of the family; one of them being Chancellor of the Kingdom, and another Grand Chamberlain and brother-in-law of King Robert Bruce.

This surname is generally said to be of Norman origin; but is more probably Celtic, and a corruption of Frith siol, Forest tribe or race. In Gaelic, the family are called "na Friosalaich," the Frasers, or "Clann Friosal."

Those who claim for them a Norman descent say that the name was derived from the "fraises" or strawberry-leaves in their Arms, and that they were identical with the French Frezels ; but, in my opinion, the latter is an entirely different name. I believe, moreover, that the Scotch name is far older than the Arms; and that when the latter were adopted, or perhaps granted, canting Arms were taken, and the pun made in the court language of the times.

Gilbert de Fraser, living temp. Alex I. (1107-1124), is the first who is to be found in charters. He possessed large estates in Tweeddale and Lothian, and was ancestor of Simon Fraser, who married Margaret, daghter of John, Earl of Orkney and Caithness, and d. 1333. He was the immediate ancestor of the family of Lovat, which, as well as the Clan Fraser, are styled in the Highlands Mac Shimi, from him, their first chief. His descendant, Thomas Fraser, Lord Lovat, d. 1699, leaving two sons; viz.,

(1) Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, Chief of the Clan Fraser, and Lord-Lieutenant of the county Inverness, attainted for high treason in 1747;
(2) John Fraser, who was born at Tanich, Urray, county Ross, circa 1674. He was an active Jacobite, and therefore generally lived under an assumed name in Great Britain; being sometimes known as Mac Omas, - such being his patronymic, - and sometimes as John Dubh or Dhu. In France, however, he was styled the Chevalier Frases de Lovat.

Frissells is a variant of Frizzell. Early form of Frazier meaning "one who came from Friesland".

Family name Frissells is the form of the Frazier. One who came from Friesland, the Frisian.

Family name is a variant form of the Fraser. "Of the Norman origin of the Frasers it is impossible for a moment to entertain any doubt." Skene's Highlanders, ii, 311. Down to the reign of Robert Bruce they appear to have remained in the southern counties of Scotland, though afterwards they removed to the North, and assumed the dignity of a clan. The advocates of their Celtic origin derive the name from Frith-siol, "forest race." In the Ragman Roll it is spelt Fresar, Frizel, Freshele, Frisele, and Frisle. Friselí occurs in the so-called Battel Roll, and an ancient fief near Neufchâtel, in Normandy, was called Fresles.

A perpetuity of Frasers is promised to Philorth (the estate of Fraser, Lord Saltoun), by the following rhyme:-
"As lang as there's a cock in the North,
There'll be a Fraser in Philorth."
Chambers' Popular Rhymes of Scotland.

The following anecdote is given by Mr. :-
An Irish gentleman once told me that in his youth the Fraser Fencibles were quartered near his father's residence, and that he had many times heard the roll called. It cominenced Donald Fraser, senior; Donald Fraser, junior; Donald Fraser, Baine (White); Donald Fraser, Ruadh (Red); Donald Fraser, Buidhe (Yellow-haired); Donald Fraser, Dubh (Black); Donald Fraser, No. 1; Donald Fraser, No. 2; and so on to Donald Fraser, No. 18., before a new baptismal name appeared."