Fraser History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
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Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Fraser

What does the name Fraser mean?

The origins of the Fraser family name are somewhat of a mystery. The earliest recorded versions of the name, from the 12th century, are de Fresel, de Friselle and de Freseliere, which appear to be Norman; however they have never been found in Normandy itself. The other possibility is that the name was derived from Gaelic, but no-one has been able to locate a Gaelic name from which Fraser might be derived. It is thought that it was in later years that the "fraisse," or strawBerry was adopted as part of the Armorial bearings of this family due to the similarity of the pronunciation of this French word to the Fraser surname.

Fraser Coat of Arms Creation

Lord Lovat, as the head of the Clan Fraser, has a buck's head as crest, and the motto is "Je suis pret" (I am ready). Stags or bucks are carried as crests or in coats of arms because of their good natural qualities, and as signs of the bearer's jurisdiction and liberty of hunting in forests and parks. There are strawberry leaves in the Fraser shield, and some from this assume that the name Fraser is derived from fraise, the French for strawberry. The story is that in the reign of Charles the Simple, Julius de Berry, a nobleman of Bourbon, entertained that monarch to a dish of very fine strawberries, and for doing this was knighted, and strawberry leaves were given him for his arms, and had his name changed from de Berry to Fraiseur or Frizelle.

It is asserted that the first Frasers came to Britain with William the Conqueror. In Scotland, the first of them were settled in Scotland in the time of Malcolm Canmore, when surnames were first used. The Frasers are now a numerous clan, especially in Inverness-shire. They got the crowns in their arms when an ancestor married a niece of King Robert I. 1

Early Origins of the Fraser family

The surname Fraser was first found in Tweedale, Peebles-shire, where Sir Simon Frasee held part of the lands of Keith. There is a record of Symon Fraser giving the church of Keith to the Abbey of Kelso in Circa 1160. Early records include Gilbert Fraser, who witnessed a charter by Walter Olifard in 1210. A later Sir Simon known as "the Scottish Patriot" was a supporter of Sir William Wallace in the struggle for independence.

Early History of the Fraser family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Fraser research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1293, 1302, 1332, 1375, 1537, 1607, 1610, 1623, 1654, 1667, 1681, 1692, 1715, 1746, 1747 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Fraser History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraser Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Frazer, Fraser, Frasher, Frisell, Frasee, Frazie, Frazier, Friselle, Fresser, Friser, Fryssar, Fressell, Fresal, Fresale, Frichell, Fraysser, Fresall, Fresle, Fresill, Fressair, Fraisser and many more.

Early Notables of the Fraser family

Notable among the family at this time was

Sir Alexander Fraser (d. 1332), Great Chamberlain of Scotland, the eldest son of Sir Andrew Fraser, who was sheriff of Stirling in 1293. 2
Sir Alexander Fraser (1537?-1623), of Philorth, was founder of Fraserburgh, and was the eldest son of Alexander Fraser, son and heir of Alexander, seventh laird of Philorth. 2
Sir Alexander Fraizer (1610?-1681), was a Scottish physician, declared by the king to be an excellent physician; Sir Alexander Fraser, 1st Baronet (c.?1607-1681), principal physician to King Charles I...
Simon Fraser (C.1667-1747), the 12th Baron Lovat, was a Jacobite conspirator, captured and executed following battle of Culloden Moor in 1746; and William Fraser, 12th Lord Saltoun (1654-1715), was a...

Fraser World Ranking

In the United States, the name Fraser is the 1,372^nd most popular surname with an estimated 22,383 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Fraser is ranked the 65^th most popular surname with an estimated 34,669 people with that name. 4 And in Quebec, Canada, the name Fraser is the 567^th popular surname. 5 Australia ranks Fraser as 101^st with 25,709 people. 6 New Zealand ranks Fraser as 76^th with 4,634 people. 7 The United Kingdom ranks Fraser as 177^th with 30,803 people. 8

Migration of the Fraser family to Ireland

Some of the Fraser family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 82 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Fraser migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fraser Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Hannah Fraser, who landed in Maryland in 1664 9
Zachariah Fraser, who landed in Maryland in 1675 9
John Fraser, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 9

Fraser Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Catharine Fraser, who arrived in New York in 1738 9
Elizabeth Fraser, who arrived in New York in 1739 9
Jean Fraser, who arrived in New York in 1740 9
William Fraser, aged 26, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 9
Jannet Fraser, aged 18, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fraser Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Andrew Fraser, who landed in New York in 1805 9
Francis Fraser, aged 23, who landed in Virginia in 1813 9
James Fraser, who landed in Alexandria, Va in 1817 9
George Fraser, who arrived in America in 1830 9
Donald C Fraser, who landed in Ohio in 1840 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fraser Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

J W M Fraser, who arrived in Texas in 1901 9

Fraser migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Fraser Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mrs. Fraser, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1773
Mrs. Fraser, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Alex Fraser, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1773
Alex Fraser, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Alexander Fraser, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1773
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fraser Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

James Fraser, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Donald Fraser, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Eliz Fraser, aged 6, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Ann Fraser, aged 3, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Bell Fraser, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fraser migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Fraser Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Alexander Fraser, (b. 1797), aged 20, Scottish glazier who was convicted in Edinburgh, Scotland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Batavia" in October 1817, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1866 10
Mr. James Fraser, Scottish convict who was convicted in Perth, Scotland for life, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Alexander Fraser, Scottish convict from Edinburgh, who was transported aboard the "Agamemnon" on April 22, 1820, settling in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Daniel Fraser, Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "David Lyon" on 29th April 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Mr. John Fraser, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Florentia" on 11th August 1830, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fraser migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Fraser Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Alexander Fraser, who landed in Kapiti & Mana, New Zealand in 1839
Thomas Fraser, who landed in Kapiti & Mana, New Zealand in 1839
Donald Fraser, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Blenheim
John Fraser, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Whitby" in 1841
Marjary Fraser, aged 29, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1842 15
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Fraser migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 16

Fraser Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

David Fraser, who settled in Barbados in 1745

Contemporary Notables of the name Fraser (post 1700) +

Brendan James Fraser (b. 1959), Canadian-American Academy Award winning film and stage actor, best known for his comedic roles in movies like George of the Jungle (1997), Dudley Do-Right (1999), The Mummy trilogy (1999–2008), The Whale (2022).
Harold Fraser, American bronze medalist for golf at the 1904 Olympic games
Charles Carrolton "Chick" Fraser (1873-1940), American Major League Baseball pitcher
Flora Marjorie Fraser (1930-2024), 21st Lady Saltoun, Scottish noblewoman and Crossbench peer
Alexander Andrew Macdonell Fraser (1946-2021), Baron Fraser of Corriegarth, Scottish treasurer of the Conservative Party of the United Kingdom and was a member of the House of Lords
John Alexander Fraser (1931-2020), Scottish actor and author, known for his performances in the films The Good Companions (1957), The Trials of Oscar Wilde (1960), El Cid (1961)
Charles Fraser (1788-1831), or Frazer or Frazier, Scottish-born immigrant to Australia from Blair Atholl, Perthshire, Colonial Botanist of New South Wales from 1821 to 1831, member of the Stirling expedition of 1827
Peter Lovat Fraser PC, QC (1945-2013), Baron Fraser of Carmyllie, Scottish politician, Lord Advocate (1989–1992), Solicitor General (1982–1989)
George Sutherland Fraser (1915-1980), Scottish poet
Eliza Fraser, Scottish shipwreck survivor, eponym of Fraser Island, Australia
... (Another 28 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Fraser family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Frank Fraser (1865-1914), Canadian Third Class Passenger from Montreal, Quebec, Canada who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 17

Halifax Explosion

Master James Fraser (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Master Colin Fraser (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Mrs. Clement Fraser (1877-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Miss Margaret Fraser (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
Mrs. Bessie McGregor Fraser (1881-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 18
... (Another 4 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Noel James Fraser (1919-1941), Australian Ordinary Seaman from Grenfell, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 19

HMS Repulse

Mr. Robert W M Fraser, British Ordinary Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 20

RMS Titanic

Mr. James Fraser (d. 1912), aged 29, English Junior Assistant Third Engineer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21
Mr. J. Fraser (d. 1912), aged 30, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 21

Fraser Motto and War Cry +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Je suis prest
Motto Translation: I am ready.
War Cry: "Castle Dounie"

Citations +

Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"The first 1,000 family names by rank, Quebec (in French only)" Institut de la statistique du Quebec, https://statistique.quebec.ca/en/document/family-names-in-quebec/tableau/the-first-1000-family-names-by-rank-quebec
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/batavia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Agamemnon voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1820 with 179 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/agamemnon/1820
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd June 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/david-lyon
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 11th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/florentia
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 16) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html