What is the origin of the name fresquez?

Answer 1

This surname has an interesting history. In the United States, the name is most common in New Mexico, where it was brought by Spanish settlers in the 1600s. (The name obviously appears in many other places now, too.) Apparently, the Spanish Fresquez (also spelled Fresques or Fresquis) settlers originated not in Spain, actually, but in what is now known as Belgium, specifically Flanders. The language of Flanders is Dutch. Historically, Flanders was known as the Spanish Netherlands; it came to be held by Spain because of the Hapsburg Dynasty. Like the Spanish, the Flemish were Catholic (whereas the Dutch living in the Netherlands had become Protestant).

Surprisingly, the name is thus actually originally a Flemish name and not a Spanish name; it comes from Flemish "Fresche(s)" or "Fresge(s)" and basically simply means "fresh," or also "young."