He was the son of Ernest Casimir (1607–1655) and his wife Anna Maria of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hachenburg (1610–1656).
His parents fled to Metz during the Thirty Years' War.
Frederick was born in Metz and spent his early years there.
After the end of the war, the family returned to a devastated country.
Count John Louis acted as regent for Frederick's children, who were still minors.