Le Friec

Whilst this name is of obvious French origins, it is also found in the Low Countries. The spelling varies considerably and includes Frick, Fricke, Frique, Friches, and Fricx, the preposition "Le" being applied erraticaly. This is not surprising as the origin is apparently a nickname applied to one who was wealthy and had considerable financial assets, the derivation being from the medieval "fric" which literally means "cash". It is probable that the original name holders were either bankers or at least people who offered a service in holding money on behalf of others. Clearly although the name appears to be a metonymic, the name holders were held in some esteem, the Count Frick being heraldically recorded in Paris prior to the French Revolution of 1792. The Coat of arms is quartered and includes a red fox prancing on a silver field. Coincidentally our first recording (below) is of the same dating, and it is perhaps possible that the name spelling underwent change at that time. Jeanne Caterine christened at Bouvellemont was the daughter of Pierre and Marie-Elizabeth Le Frique (or Lefrique), although the date of their wedding is not recorded. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jeanne Catherine Le Frique, which was dated January 13th 1793, christened Bouvellemont, Ardennes, during the reign of The 1st French Republic, 1792 - 1804. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.