This article refers to the surname of a family originating in northern Italy. For other uses, see Friz (disambiguation)

Friz (disambiguation)

-People:* Friz, surname of a family originating in northern Italy* Friz Freleng , American animator, cartoonist, director, and producer* Max Friz , German mechanical engineer specializing in engine design...

The surname

Surname

A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...

 Friz derives from Fritz

Fritz

Fritz originated as a German nickname for Friedrich, or Frederick , as well as for similar names including Fridolin...

, diminutive

Diminutive

In language structure, a diminutive, or diminutive form , is a formation of a word used to convey a slight degree of the root meaning, smallness of the object or quality named, encapsulation, intimacy, or endearment...

 of the German

German language

German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....

 name Friederich (Frederick

Frederick

-Royalty:Austria* Frederick I, Duke of Austria , Duke of Austria from 1195–1198* Frederick II, Duke of Austria , last Duke of Austria from the Babenberg dynasty...

), originating from the Old Germanic Frithurik, composed of the prefix frithu ("peace", "friendship": Friede, in German) and the suffix rikia ("lord", "prince"), meaning "Lord of Peace", "The One who assures peace".

The surname is diffused in the Adige Valley in northern Italy

Italy

Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...

. It's a German surname which established originally in the Region of Trentino on the comune di Garniga (town of Garniga)."

"Der Alte Fritz" refers specifically to Frederick the Great.

Source: "Saggio di Commento ai Cognomi Tridentini", by Ernesto Lorenzo, 1895.