Surname Frost - Meaning and Origin

Unravelling the Blend of Mythology and History in My Family Name Through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Opting to undergo DNA analysis at iGENEA was a revelation, transforming the mundane into a rich tapestry of personal, historical, and even mythical significance. The result went beyond genetics, unveiling a fascinating connection between my family name Frost and the Viking era and their folklore of Jack Frost.

Q. Frost

Frost: What does the surname Frost mean?

The surname Frost is of Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse origin and has geographical roots. It comes from the Old English pre 7th Century word "frost" or "forst," which stands for extremely cold temperature. It is often considered a nickname or a descriptive surname for someone with frosty or snowy hair or a cold demeanor, or someone who was born in an exceptionally chilly winter. It may also signify a person originating from a place residing in a frosty or cold area. In some rare cases, it could also be considered a metonymic occupational name for a person engaged in the ice trade. The surname became popular after the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century and is widely spread across English and Scandinavian regions. Notable people with this surname include the American poet Robert Frost, and the British television presenter and journalist David Frost.

Frost: Where does the name Frost come from?

The surname Frost is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from the Old English pre 7th Century "frost", frost, which was used as a nickname for someone of icy temperament or who had white hair. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Aelfric se Frost ("se" meaning "the"), which was dated 1086, in the Domesday Book of Berkshire, England. It remained a relatively common surname in England, particularly in the southern counties and East Anglia.

Migration to the New World during the 17th and 18th centuries resulted in the spread of the Frost surname to America, where it remains common today. Notably, Robert Frost, born in San Francisco, became one of America's best-known and best-loved poets. Today, the surname Frost can be found in both the United Kingdom and the United States, along with Australia and other English speaking countries.

Variations of the surname Frost

The surname Frost likely originates from the Old English word "frost," relating to someone who had a very cold personality or perhaps someone who was born in a period of cold weather. This name is common particularly in Northern England and East Anglia. Its largely literal meaning makes it less likely to have developed different forms or variants like some other surnames.

However, like many surnames, it can have minor spelling variations due to differences in regional dialects and pronunciation. It could be misspelled as Frosst, Froste or Frist. Even though these aren't common or recognized variants, they might occur due to phonetic transcription or errors.

International equivalents of Frost also exist, representing the translation of 'frost' in different languages. These include Raureif (German), Geada (Portuguese), Helada (Spanish), Gelée (French), Brina (Italian), and others.

As for surnames of the same origin, there might not be any direct 'relative' surnames that derived from the same root as Frost. Yet other English surnames that were also inspired by weather or natural phenomena might be considered of similar origin, like Winter, Summer, Snow, or Rain.

Famous people with the name Frost

• Robert Frost: A renowned American poet known for his depiction of rural life.
• David Frost: A British television host, media personality and journalist famous for his interviews with Richard Nixon.
• Sadie Frost: An English actress, producer, and fashion designer.
• Kid Frost: An American rapper.
• Lindsay Frost: An American actress.
• Nick Frost: An English actor, comedian, and writer known for frequent collaborations with Simon Pegg.
• Andy Frost: A Canadian radio broadcaster.
• Mark Frost: An American novelist, screenwriter, film producer, and television producer, co-creator of the TV series "Twin Peaks".
• Jenny Frost: An English singer, dancer, television presenter, and model.
• Scott Frost: An American football coach and former player.
• Sir Terry Frost: An English abstract artist.
• Dan Frost: A Danish former racing cyclist.
• Edwin Brant Frost: An American astronomer.
• Jack Frost: An American serial killer.
• Lesley Frost: An American author, known as the daughter of poet Robert Frost.
• Warren Frost: An American actor.
• Daniel M. Frost: An American soldier during Civil War.
• Bob Frost: An American politician.

Other surnames

FrosFroschFroschauerFroschekFröschelFröschlFröschleFröschleinFröschlinFroschmaierFroschmayerFroschmayrFroschmeierFroschmeirFroshour

Comments or additions to the name "Frost"

30.01.2024
David Lloyd Frost, my brother Robert Edward Frost, also his daughters - Siri Frost and Kerri Frost.