Surname Feith - Meaning and Origin
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Feith: What does the surname Feith mean?
The last name Feith is a Germanic surname, which is derived from the Old Germanic word "fait" which means "fair". This word was also used to refer to people considered to be noble or significant, and was then further adapted to the surname by adding the diminutive “-h”.
The original Germanic root word 'fait' is a cognate to the Old Norse name Fjall, which means a person who is noble or great. This is attested to in the Old Scandinavian histories, where Fjall was used to refer to people of great renown and influence.
In modern-day Germany, the surname Feith denotes a person of high social distinction and great respect. It is also common for descendants of the original Feith family to use the modified spelling Feit as their surname.
In the United States, the Feith surname is most likely a result of an early migration from Germany. The Feith name has spread throughout the largest cities and towns in the United States, but it remains relatively uncommon.
The surname Feith is a reminder that families, no matter their current geographical origin, have a long and meaningful history of which they can be proud. The Feith surname can be seen as a marker of the significance and greatness of a family's past, and an indication of a commitment to continue to strive for such greatness in the future.
Order DNA origin analysisFeith: Where does the name Feith come from?
The last name Feith is generally considered to be of German origin, although variants of the name can be found in other European countries, such as Austria. In modern times, the Feith name is found throughout Germany, particularly in the regions of Bavaria, Saxony, and Baden-Wurttemberg.
It has also spread to other countries, mainly due to migration and emigration during the 19th and 20th centuries. In the United States, the Feith last name is most commonly found in the southern states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana—all of which were part of the original Louisiana Purchase, making them very popular destinations for European immigrants in the 1800s.
In Canada, significant numbers of Feith families are found in the province of Ontario, which was also a popular destination for European immigrants in the 19th century. Australia is home to a small population of Feiths, which is believed to have been established by immigrants from Austria in the first half of the 20th century. In South America, the last name is mainly associated with families who originated in Germany and migrated to countries such as Argentina and Brazil.
Given its German roots, it is very likely that the Feith surname originated in the region of Bavaria or Saxony, where it has been present for over a thousand years. Today, the Feith surname is enjoyed by countless people all over the world, leading to the name's longevity and continued use.
Variations of the surname Feith
The surname Feith is of German origin and derives from the Middle High German fíh, meaning fish. Variations of the surname Feith include Fieth, Fieht, Fiedt, Fix, De Fix, Veigel and DeFeiss.
Feith is most prevalent in Germany, with the highest concentration in the Upper Palatinate region in Bavaria. The spelling variant Fieth has experienced the most success outside of Germany, in particular in the US. This spelling variant can be found in parts of Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois, implying that many Fieth families immigrated to these areas from Germany in the late 19th century.
The spelling variant Fiedt is particularly common in Austria and Bavarian Switzerland.
Meanwhile, other spelling variants of the surname Feith have been found in different countries, including France, England, and other parts of Switzerland. For example, Fix can be found in France, particularly in the Alsace region. The surname Veigel was most popular in Poland in the 18th century.
Surnames deriving from the same origin as Feith include Veigel, DeFix and DeFeiss. It is also likely that the surnames Feyth, Fivet, and Pfeiffer are linked, as they are derived from the same Middle High German root.
Overall, the surname Feith has spawned several variations in pronunciation and spelling due to its migrations over the centuries. The presence of the same surname in different countries is a testament to its historical success.
Famous people with the name Feith
- Douglas J. Feith: Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the George W. Bush Administration
- Eric Feith: American philanthropist and venture capitalist
- William S. Feith: Senior official in the George W. Bush Administration
- Abram Feith: American politician and New York State Assemblyman in the early 20th century
- Arthur J. Feith: American composer and songwriter
- Bill Feith: Country music artist
- Oded Feith: Israeli lawyer and former ambassador to the United States
- Peter Feith: Dutch diplomat and former ambassador to the United States
- Stephen M. Feith: Professor, author, and Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute
- Brian Feith: Australian journalist
- Dov Feith: Former Head of Policy Planning in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Leonard R. Feith: American psychotherapist, professor, and author
- Gur Feith: Former Head of the Department of Afro-Asiatic at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Krishanti Feith: Sri Lankan professor and poet
- Maryanne Feith: American businessperson and philanthropist
- Yair Feith: Israeli geologist and former director of the Geological Survey of Israel