An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Fräulein

by Friedrich Kluge

Fräulein, n., ‘young lady, damsel, miss,’ from MidHG. vröuwelîn, n., dimin. of MidHG. vrouwe, ‘woman’, orig. ‘noble maiden, young lady of noble birth, mistress, sweetheart,’ also ‘girl of mean rank, servant-girl.’