UK surname
A surname derived from the German word "frosch" meaning "frog".
In the 1881 census there were 20 people recorded with the Frosh surname, ranking it #30,738 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 12, ranked #37,385, down from #30,738 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Walthamstow, Low Leyton, St Leonard Shoreditch and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Frosh is 206 in 1891. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 40.0%.
1881 census count
20
Ranked #30,738
Modern count
12
2016, ranked #37,385
Peak year
1891
206 bearers
Map years
2
1861 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Frosh surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Frosh surname density by area, 1891 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 15 | #30,614 |
| 1861 | historical | 135 | #16,651 |
| 1881 | historical | 20 | #30,738 |
| 1891 | historical | 206 | #14,597 |
| 1901 | historical | 21 | #31,686 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 10 | #37,060 |
| 1998 | modern | 10 | #37,048 |
| 1999 | modern | 9 | #37,217 |
| 2000 | modern | 11 | #36,879 |
| 2001 | modern | 11 | #36,727 |
| 2002 | modern | 10 | #36,902 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 9 | #37,213 |
| 2005 | modern | 10 | #37,180 |
| 2006 | modern | 11 | #37,118 |
| 2007 | modern | 13 | #36,990 |
| 2008 | modern | 11 | #37,270 |
| 2009 | modern | 14 | #37,041 |
| 2010 | modern | 15 | #37,038 |
| 2011 | modern | 15 | #37,030 |
| 2012 | modern | 11 | #37,394 |
| 2013 | modern | 13 | #37,224 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 12 | #37,385 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Walthamstow, Low Leyton, St Leonard Shoreditch, London parishes, Burslem and Leigh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walthamstow, Low Leyton | Essex |
| 2 | St Leonard Shoreditch | London (East Districts) |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Burslem | Staffordshire |
| 5 | Leigh | Essex |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Frosh surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Frosh, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Frosh surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Frosh household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Frosh is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Frosh is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Frosh, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Frosh finds its origins in Central Europe, particularly within the German-speaking regions. It is believed to have emerged during the medieval period, approximately around the 12th to 14th centuries. The name likely originated from the German word "Frosch," which translates to "frog" in English. This could have been used as a nickname, referring to someone who lived in a marshy area abundant with frogs or perhaps someone who had qualities attributed to a frog.
The name Frosh is also found in old records in areas that are now part of modern-day Germany and Switzerland. The Middle High German period, spanning from the 11th to 14th centuries, provides evidence of the usage of the word "vrosch" or "frosch," leading to the surname Frosh. Variations of the name, including Frosch, Frosche, and Frosen, can be found in historical documents.
One early historical reference to the surname Frosh is found in the chronicles of the Imperial Free City of Nuremberg. A person named Heinrich Frosch or Frosh is mentioned in the city records from 1382, marking one of the earliest appearances of the surname. Another reference appears in the Lübeck citizenship rolls in the late 15th century, indicating a Johann Frosch who became a citizen in 1489. These records highlight the presence of the surname in both urban and rural settings, implying a diverse range of bearers.
Among the notable historical figures carrying the surname Frosh is Georg Frosh, a German theologian born in 1565 and active in theological circles during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. His works contributed to the theological debates of his time, particularly within the Protestant Reformation movement. Another eminent person was Johannes Frosh, a Swiss merchant known for his trade ventures between Switzerland and neighboring countries during the early 18th century.
Moving forward to the early 19th century, Wilhelm Frosh, born in 1802, was a renowned inventor and engineer in Germany. His innovations in mechanical engineering had a significant impact on the industrial sector, especially in the areas of textile manufacturing and early automation. In the field of literature, August Frosh (1831-1895) was a distinguished German poet and writer, whose works are still celebrated in literary circles for their contributions to romanticism.
In summary, the surname Frosh has a rich history rooted in German-speaking Europe, evolving from a descriptive nickname related to the word "frog." Its presence in historical records dates back to the medieval period, with notable individuals in theology, commerce, engineering, and literature who have carried this surname throughout history.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Frosh surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Essex leads with 6 Froshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 15.60x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Essex | 6 | 15.60x |
| Sussex | 5 | 15.22x |
| Lancashire | 3 | 1.30x |
| Surrey | 2 | 2.11x |
| Glamorgan | 1 | 2.95x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.50x |
| Middlesex | 1 | 0.51x |
| Stirlingshire | 1 | 13.91x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Brighton in Sussex leads with 5 Froshs recorded in 1881 and an index of 75.41x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 5 | 75.41x |
| West Ham | 4 | 47.11x |
| Cheetham | 3 | 174.42x |
| Alresford | 2 | 10000.00x |
| Camberwell | 1 | 8.03x |
| Effingham | 1 | 2500.00x |
| Falkirk | 1 | 59.52x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 1 | 90.91x |
| St Clement Danes London | 1 | 250.00x |
| Swansea Town | 1 | 35.97x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Frosh surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Frosh surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Frosh households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 3 |
| Companion (Inn Ser) | 1 |
| Governess(T) | 1 |
| Journeyman Printer | 1 |
| Mariner | 1 |
| Platelayer | 1 |
| Railway Gatesman (Pointman) | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 20 people were recorded with the Frosh surname. That placed it at #30,738 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 12 in 2016. That gives Frosh a modern rank of #37,385.
A surname derived from the German word "frosch" meaning "frog".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Frosh bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.