Surname Felten - Meaning and Origin

Felten: What does the surname Felten mean?

The surname Felten is of German origin. The root of this last name lies in the German word "Veltener," meaning "dweller in the shelter of the woods." This was likely a descriptive nickname for someone who lived or worked in a wooded area, and over time it was adapted into a surname. As with many German surnames, Felten is commonly found in the areas of southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The name Felten dates back to the late 18th century, when it first appeared in church records in the former kingdom of Bohemia (in what is now the Czech Republic). It is most commonly found in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, and Thuringia. It is also fairly common in Switzerland and Austria.

The English equivalent of Felten would be Fielden. There, the surname derives from a similar nickname, which refers to someone who comes from or lives in an area filled with open fields.

In modern usage, the surname Felten is fairly common — especially in its native Central Europe — and is used both by those of Germanic and Slavic heritage. There is also a sizable population of Feltens in the United States, as many German immigrants and their descendants have adopted the name as part of their cultural identity.

Felten: Where does the name Felten come from?

The last name Felten is most commonly found in Germany today. It is among the most common surnames in Germany with 43,000 people registered under this name as of 2019. The large concentration of the Felten surname within Germany has its roots in medieval times when it was mainly found in the area of Paderborn. This region, located in western Germany, is linked historically to Germany's Huguenot diaspora in the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Felten surnames spread from Germany to other parts of Europe and beyond in the following centuries. Today, there is a small and scattered population of people with the surname all over the world, but the center of its concentration remains in Germany. There are Felten families living in every state of the Federal Republic as well as in parts of Switzerland, Austria, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada.

The origin of the surname is possibly derived from a personal name ‘Felto’or ‘Feltade’ and is thought to derive from Germanic elements meaning ‘strong’. This once common name has retained its centrality in Germany over the centuries and is most commonly found among families who have had their roots there for hundreds of years.

Variations of the surname Felten

The Felten surname is derived from Germanic languages and has a rich and convoluted history. It is also known by several other names including Feldt, Fehlt, Felth, Felthaus, Felther, Feldhaus, Feieden, and Felzhausen.

The original spelling of Felten was Feldt, and this is derived from the Middle High German word “felt” meaning “field” or “clearing”. As such, those bearing this surname could have hailed from rural areas or locations of open land. Additionally, Feld was also used to refer to troops or armies, meaning that those with the Feldt surname could have also had military backgrounds and origins.

The “en”ending of this surname signifies that the family was of high standing and could indicate a place of origin, not unlike the Feieden surname. This is thought to be derived from the medieval Franconian name “ Feiede”, which indicated a wealthy or noble family.

The emergence of other spellings and variants of the name suggest that the original Fehlt spelling had evolved over time as the family moved, settled in other areas, and/or acquired new wealth or status. The Felthhaus, Felther, Feldhaus, and Felzhausen versions stem from the Middle High German “felt” and “haus”, which mean “field” and “house” respectively. This indicates that the family had a certain amount of wealth or stature amongst their peers.

In sum, the Felten surname has a long and varied history and is found with many variations and spellings, as is typical with surnames of Germanic origin.

Famous people with the name Felten

• Fred Felten: Fred Felten was the first CEO of A&W Canada and the third president of the company Moxie's Grill & Bar.
• Dean Felten: Dean Felten was an American football player who played for the Dallas Cowboys. He was a member of the Cowboys Super Bowl XII team.
• Jim Felten: Jim Felten is a former college basketball coach who was the head coach of West Virginia State from 1979 to 1988 and again from 2004 to 2006.
• Carl Felten:Carl Felten is an American Paralympic athlete who competes in javelin throw and discus throw.
• William Felten:William Felten is a former professional hockey player who played two seasons in the National Hockey League with the Detroit Red Wings.
• Bob Felten:Bob Felten is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1973 to 1984.
• Karmyn Felten: Karmyn Felten is an American actress who is best known for her role as Agent Michelle in the television series NCIS.
• Judy Felten: Judy Felten is a Canadian coloratura soprano who has sung with opera companies around the world.
• Jeff Felten: Jeff Felten is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour.
• Linda Felten: Linda Felten is a German sprint canoeist who has competed since the late 1990s.

Other surnames

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