Surname Beifel - Meaning and Origin
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Beifel: What does the surname Beifel mean?
The last name Beifel has a German origin and is thought to be derived from the German word ‘bifelde’ which means ‘field’ or ‘fields’. The earliest known record of the name is from 1305 in the village of Zullingen, Germany when one Paulus de Bifalde was mentioned. The name then spread across Europe and to the United States and Canada in the 1700s with the arrival of immigrants.
The surname Beifel likely originally referred to a landowner, someone who owned or lived on a field or a farmland. Alternatively, it may have been a topographical name, referring to a person who lived near a field or a grazing land. Over time, the name likely altered from Beifel to other forms, particularly in North America, to the now more common Bifelle.
The name has numerous variations, including Beifels, Biefel, Biefell, Bifel, Bifell, and Byfels. Persons with the Beifel name today typically live in the German states of Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria, but also in the Alps. In North America, the surname Beifel is more common in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, but also in Canada.
Overall, the last name Beifel seems to have originated from a word meaning ‘field’ or ‘fields’ and to have most likely originally referred to a landowner. It has numerous variations and is still present in Germany as well as in the United States and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisBeifel: Where does the name Beifel come from?
The last name Beifel is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In Germany, the name is particularly common in Bavaria, the country's southernmost state, where one in every 6,481 people is registered with the name. In Austria, the name is also mainly concentrated in the south of the country, particularly the Tyrol region, with one in every 5,811 people registered as Beifel.
Switzerland also has a large population of Beifels, with one in every 6,139 people registered with that name. The population is concentrated mainly in the eastern and northern regions of the country, with the canton of Aargau having the highest density.
In other parts of the world, the name is not as common. Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand all have a small population of Beifels, but the numbers do not compare to those in Europe.
The genealogy website MyHeritage.com shows that the Beifel surname first emerged in Germany. The earliest recorded bearer of the name was a certain Eberhard Beifel in 1530. He was officially listed as a peasant farmer in the small village of Hoppenheim. Through the centuries, many people bearing this surname have moved from their Germanic homeland to other parts of the world, and it is likely that this is the reason why the Beifel name is not as common outside of Europe.
Variations of the surname Beifel
The surname Beifel is likely derived from the German Jewish word "beifel," which refers to a crying noise. There are several variations on this name, including Baeffel, Beiffel, Beifler, Beifl, Baeffeler, Baeffeles, Bebuffel, and Boifel. The spelling and pronunciation of the name can vary widely depending on location, with some variants being written as Baeffel, Beuffel, Beifel, Buzzel, Baeffell, Bayfl, and Boeffel.
In Germany, the surname is spelled "Beifel," while it is often spelled as "Beiffel" in the Netherlands. In the United States, the spellings "Beifel," "Beiffel," and "Beifler" are all commonly used. It is important to note that some variants are pronounced differently depending on which country or region they are found in.
The surname Beifel has multiple origin stories, although it is generally believed to be of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. In some cases, it is possible that the name originated in the medieval eastern German Empire, where the name may be related to the German-Polish toponym "beifelszahler," meaning "woodlands of fear." It is believed that the name may have been used as an identifier for people who lived near a particular wooded area.
Given the geographical diversity of this surname, families with this name could have originated in multiple locations. It is also possible that the name was adopted earlier in different regions, resulting in different spellings and pronunciations.
Famous people with the name Beifel
- Andrew Beifel, American investment banker
- Trey Beifel, American property developer
- Christine Beifel, Australian professional squash player
- Timothy Beifel, American author and artist
- Bill Beifel, American film director
- Michael Beifel, German opera director and conductor
- Harry Beifel, German composer
- John Beifel, American justice
- Keith Beifel, American minister
- Karl Beifel, German musician
- Christine Beifel, German artist
- Paul Beifel, American artist
- Stephanie Beifel, American fashion designer
- Steve Beifel, American golf coach
- Robert Beifel, American lawyer
- Sarah Beifel, German linguist
- Fritz Beifel, German politician
- Thomas Beifel, Austrian chemist
- Myles Beifel, American politician
- Carl Beifel, Australian architect