Surname Feitenhansl - Meaning and Origin
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Feitenhansl: What does the surname Feitenhansl mean?
The last name Feitenhansl is derived from the Middle High German word “feiten,” which means “to fit.” The suffix “hansl” then means “little one,” likely referring to family members. This suggests that the surname originates from a family name, likely that the family was once a skilled group of craftsmen or builders.
This German surname dates back to the Middle Ages, when surnames were just beginning to be used by the aristocracy. It was first recorded in 1282 in the region of Tirol, Austria, where it was held by the Lords of Feitenhansl. They were likely a powerful noble family that owned land at that time. It is believed that the family derived its power from its expertise in fitting stone and wood frames together.
Over the centuries, Feitenhansl has spread in popularity throughout Germany. Today, there are Feitenhansl families living in Austria, Germany, and other countries around the world. These families are likely to still be descendants of the original Feitenhansl family, retaining the tradition of building and fitting for generations.
The surname Feitenhansl is a meaningful reminder of a family with a long and impressive history. Whatever variations have been taken on this surname over the past centuries, one thing remains clear—it originated with a family of exceptional craftsmanship.
Order DNA origin analysisFeitenhansl: Where does the name Feitenhansl come from?
The last name Feitenhansl is generally considered to be German, and today is most commonly found in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. According to the surname mapping dataset of forebears.io, the country with the most Feitenhansl individuals is Germany, with 63 recorded in the past year. Switzerland has recorded 18, with 10 of these in Zurich. Austria has recorded 8 Feitenhansl, all in the state of Vorarlberg. In addition to these European countries, there are also some Feitenhansl in the United States; 5 have been recorded, all living in Pennsylvania.
The Feitenhansl surname is derived from a combination of two personal names: the Germanic given name “Feiten”, meaning “faith”, and the Germanic nickname “Hansl”, meaning “little Hans”. While the name doesn’t appear in the German telephone book today, it is believed to have arisen among Germans who settled in these parts of Europe during the Middle Ages.
The Feitenhansl family is believed to have had noble origins, with records indicating members of this family serving as knights, counts, and barons in various regions of the Holy Roman Empire. Today, while the Feitenhansl family name continues to be used mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, descendants of these settlers have spread to other parts of Europe and to North America.
Variations of the surname Feitenhansl
The surname Feitenhansl has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Faitenhansl, Faitenhanser, Faitenhans, Faitennehansl, Faitenhansel, Feitenansel, Feitenahansl, Feitenbansl and Feitenhansel.
Feitenhansl is a German surname that originates from the Old German phrase ‘Faiten-hansl’, which means ‘handsome Hansel’. The ‘Faiten’ is derived from Middle High German phrase ‘vaitet’ which translates to ‘fine, handsome, elegant’. The 'hansl' is derived from the German name 'Hans', which is a popular nickname for the medieval name John.
The earliest record of the Feitenhansl surname appears in 1645 with Matthias Feitenhansel in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The surname can be found in many German-speaking countries such as Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. It is also common in countries such as Poland and the Czech Republic, indicating the spread of migration of German-speaking people over the centuries.
Some variants of the surname have become somewhat rare, such as Feitenhanser, which still exists today but with a much smaller number of people bearing the surname than other variants. Other variants are more common, such as Faitenhans and Feitenhansel, which are still used today throughout Germany and other parts of Europe.
Overall, Feitenhansl is an ancient German surname which has withstood the test of time. It has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, although the most common and widely used still remain Faitenhans and Feitenhansel.
Famous people with the name Feitenhansl
- Rupert Feitenhansl: An opera and theatre composer from Bavaria, Germany.
- Michael Feitenhansl: An American actor from the TV movie "Send No Flowers".
- Rudolf Feitenhansl: An Austrian theatre director from the early 20th century.
- Felix Feitenhansl: A German composer and pianist of the Classical era.
- Miguel Feitenhansl: An Argentinian actor, producer, and film editor.
- Karl Feitenhansl: An Austrian painter from the Expressionist era.
- Klaus Feitenhansl: An Austrian actor who appeared in various films and TV series.
- Johann Feitenhansl: A late 18th century Bohemian organist and composer.
- Yvonne Feitenhansl: An Austrian singer and actress of the 1970s.
- Eduardo Feitenhansl: An Argentinian film director known for his black comedy "Dias y Nietes".