Freeman is an occupational English surname that first appeared around the 12th century. It is derived from the Old English words freeman, meaning "a person who is free" and "man", meaning "a person". Freemans were originally people who were not bound to a lord or manor. They were often skilled workers, such as craftsmen, merchants, and traders. The surname Freeman was originally used to describe these people. Over time, it became a hereditary surname that was passed down from generation to generation. Today, the surname Freeman is found all over the world, but it is most common in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.