The name was originally de Frisselle, de Freseliere, or de Fresel, and Frisale or Frisell is still the common pronunciation in Tweeddale-the first Scots home of the family-and in Lothian. The name then became Fraissier or strawberry bearer, probably from adoption of the flower of the fraisse, strawberry as part of the armorial bearings-a plant abundant in the woods of Neidpath, still however retaining the original name or pronunciation. Sir Simon Frasee, first in record in Scodand, held part of the lands of Keith in East Lothian, called from him Keith Simon. Symon ffraser gave the church of Keith to the Abbey of Kelso c. 1160 (Kelso, 13, 85). Gilbert Freser witnessed a charter by Walter Oliferd, junior, c. 1210 (SHR., II, p. 175) A later Sir Simon, called "The Scottish Patriot," was a supporter of Sir William Wallace in the struggle for independence. At Roslin in 1302 he defeated three divisions of the English army in one day. By a series of advantageous marriages the Frasers acquired lands in different parts of the country. In 1375 by a marriage with the daughter of William, earl of Ross they acquired Philorth in Buchan which became the chief seat of the family. To the Gaels the chief of the Frasers is known as MacShimidh (pron. Mackimmie), "son of Simon." The name has many spellings in record: ffrayser 1293, ffreizer 1667, Fraiser and Fraisser 1659, Frasair 1603, Frassel 1368, Fresal and Fresale 1477, Fresare 1503, Fresell 1494, Fresill 1543, Fresle 1513, Fressair 1556, Fresselye 1296, Fresser 1546, Freyser 1321, Frichell 1284, Friselle 1558, Friser 1304, Frissell 1548, Fiyssar 1566, Frysser 1491, Fiyssell 1516; Fraseir, Frasser, Fraysser, Fresall, Fresel, Fressell, Freser.

= Fraser, q.v.

This Scottish name is sometimes a synonym of Frizell, q.v. Bibl

(Scottish, Irish) One who came from Friesland, the Frisian.

"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." Dixon. In the Bagman Roll it is spelt Fresar, Frizel, Freshele, Frisele, and Frisle. Ibid. Frisell occurs in the so-called Battel Boll, and an ancient fief near Neufchatel, in Normandy, was called Fresles.

The family is of Norman origin, and assumed their name from the three fraises or strawberry leaves in their arms. About the year 794, Pierre Fraser, the Seigneur de Troile, was sent as an ambassador by Charlemagne to Achaius, king of Scotland. He married Euphemia, daughter of Rahan, a favorite of Achaius, and from this marriage sprang the Scottish Frazers. The fact of Simon being the most frequently used Christian name in the family, has caused the name in the Highlands to be corrupted to Mac Shimes and thence contracted to Mclmmey.

Fraischeur, French, freshness, coolness, bloom; Friseur, a hairdresser, from friser, French, to curl.

See Fraser. Many persons who bear this name are Celts, it being a clan name.

Frazer: is really De Frezel, a family of Touraine. René Frezel’s second son came to England with the Conqueror. A descendant found favour and land with David I., who was a great importer of Anglo-Norman blood. The Frazers have their tartan and their badge, the yew.