Surname Astfalck - Meaning and Origin
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Astfalck: What does the surname Astfalck mean?
The last name Astfalck is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words "Æst" meaning "eastern" and "falca" meaning "falcon". This makes the name an occupational one, indicating that the original bearer of the name was a falconer from the east. Thus, the name Astfalck was likely given to someone from the east who bred and trained falcons for hunting as a profession.
In many cases, Anglo-Saxon last names indicate the wealth and status of the original bearer. In this case, the family of Astfalck could have been wealthy landowners or gentry, owning land to the east of their settlement. Those that bore the name could have also served as court falconers, responsible for training hunting birds for the king and his court.
Over the centuries, the spelling of the surname has been often changed as it has passed down through generations due to regional accents and dialects. Variations of the Astfalck name include Astfalk, Ashtfoyle, Astforth, Astphall, Estfall, and Estfaull.
Today, the Astfalck surname remains fairly uncommon, but in some parts of the world it is still passed down from generation to generation. It is more commonly found among individuals with German or Northern European ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisAstfalck: Where does the name Astfalck come from?
The last name Astfalck (or Astfalk) is most commonly found in Germany today. The name first appears in medieval records in the 1500s, specifically in the eastern part of Germany around the city of Schwerin, in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The name is derived from a combination of two old German words – "aste" meaning ash tree and "falk" meaning falcon, suggesting that the ancestral home of the Astfalk family was surrounded by ash trees and falcons. The two words together signify a high status in the local community, possibly indicating that the family was of a noble or privileged social class.
Over the ensuing centuries, Astfalk families can be traced primarily to German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as certain parts of Scandinavia. Today, the name is most commonly seen in Germany, particularly in the state of Bavaria.
In English-speaking countries, Astfalk is a rare surname. However, there are a number of Astfalk families which have settled in the United States, Canada, Australia and other countries. These families primarily originate from Germany and trace their lineage back to the old country.
Variations of the surname Astfalck
The surname Astfalck is of German and Dutch origin, and has variations including Astfalk, Astfahl, Astfalck, Ostfalck, Oestfalk, Oestfahl, Oestfalck, Oastfalck, and Oastfalk. Astfalk and Oestfalk are the most commonly found variants of the surname.
The Astfalck family originally held a hereditary title, which was a special form of nobility, and is a locational German and Dutch surname derived from the Middle High German words 'ast', meaning 'eastern', and 'falk', meaning 'falcon or hawk'. As such, Astfalck initially signified someone who lived or worked near a hawk or falcon.
The surname is commonly found amongst the Protestant Christians of Germany, as well as the Dutch-speaking areas of Belgium, where it is spelled Ostfalck, Oestfalk, Oestfahl, and Ostfahl. Astfalk can also be found in Denmark, and less frequently in Sweden and Norway. The surname has also been firmly established in The United States since the end of the 19th century.
The Astfalck surname can also be found in other countries in Europe, more specifically in Austria where it was spelled Oastfalck and Astfalck, as well as France where it was flattered Astfahl. In addition, the surname is commonly found in England and Wales, with spellings ranging from Astfalk and Oastfalk to Estfalk and Oestfalck.
Famous people with the name Astfalck
- Michael Astfalck: German actor and former bodybuilder, best known for his role as the villain "Kai Master" from German TV Series Marienhof
- Kate Astfalck: British environmental campaigner and founder of the youth-led organisation Change Reaction, focusing on sustainable energy, climate and environmental education
- Andreas Astfalck: Swedish cross country skier and bronze medalist in the 2001/02 Cross Country World Cup
- Eka Astfalck: Lithuanian former competitive figure skater
- Henrik Astfalck: Swedish equestrian and Olympian
- Emina Astfalck: German film producer, awarded best producer in the 59th Deutscher Filmpreis
- Tine Astfalck: Danish fashion and costume designer known for her collaborations with international fashion companies
- Anna-Lisa Astfalck: Swedish TV personality and former singer
- Sigurd Astfalck: Norwegian boxer and amateur champion from the 1930s