Surname Felty - Meaning and Origin
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Felty: What does the surname Felty mean?
The last name Felty, also spelled Feltey, is an occupational name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from the Old English word meaning ‘Felt-maker’ and refers to someone who was an expert in the traditional craft of felt making. This process was a fabric-like material made from fibers such as animal fleece or plant down by matting, condensing, and pressing the fibers together. In the 17th and 18th century, during Europe's Renaissance period, felt-making was a common trade for artisans.
The Felty name is a relatively rare name concentrated in the former states of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), particularly in northern Russia, Estonia, Latvia, and Belarus countries, with some migration into Austria, Germany, and the Czech Republic. It is believed to have originated in a pre-Christian Scythian-Slavic ancestor.
Today, the last name Felty is associated with those who are proud of their British and Germanic heritage. Many members of the Felty family are educated individuals and have achieved significant success in many walks of life. This is a testament to the strong work ethic that is so deeply ingrained in this heritage. While the Felty surname is not as common in the United States, it is associated with people who are dedicated to their work, respect tradition, and are honest, hardworking citizens.
Order DNA origin analysisFelty: Where does the name Felty come from?
The last name Felty is most commonly found in the United States of America today. According to the U.S Census Bureau, the last name Felty is found predominantly in Pennsylvania, accounting for approximately 99.9% of all individuals with this surname in the country.
The city of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, located in Monroe County, is the originating area of the Felty name. The first Felty family members are believed to have settled in Monroe County, Pennsylvania, in the early 1800s. The surname is also found throughout the majority of the surrounding counties in Pennsylvania.
Outside of Pennsylvania, Felty can also be found occasionally in rural areas of Ohio and West Virginia. Small populations of the Felty surname have also been living in Michigan, Wisconsin, and California for many generations.
Worldwide, the last name Felty is not particularly widespread and is rarely found outside of the United States. Therefore, for the majority of individuals with the Felty last name, their roots trace back to the small towns and rural areas of Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname Felty
The surname Felty is generally of English origin, however variations of the name can be found in countries around the world. Variations include Felte, Felti, Feltie, Feltye and Feltey. The German versions of the name are Feltsche and Feltscher.
The spelling of the surname can also vary. Some variants include Felty, Feltey, Feltie, Feldt, Feltt, Feld, Fele, Felte, Fletty and Fletie. Surnames with similar origin are usually Feltman, Feltz, Feltham, Feltner, Feltes, Feltman and Feltman.
The surname Felty is commonly recorded in United States records such as the 1860 and 1880 US Censuses. In the 1860 Census, there are over 100 listings for the surname. It can also be found in many other records, such as passenger lists, civil registrations and immigration records.
The variants of Felty are numerous and widespread, indicating that the origin of the name may have been from different parts of the world. It is possible that the surname was adopted by the early settlers of England and German-speaking Switzerland, as well as other parts of Europe. Nevertheless, Felty is largely an English surname.
Famous people with the name Felty
- Justin Felty: Actor and Celebrity Trainer
- Joseph Felty: Pro-Mixed Martial Artist
- Lynn E. Felty: Educator/First Lady of Virginia
- Harris L Felty: Speaker and Host of the Portraits in Rhythm Jazz Show
- John Felty: Drummer and Songwriter
- Bill Felty: Country Singer, Songwriter, and Producer
- Mark Felty: Jazz Pianist and Composer
- Reggie Felty: Singer, Songwriter and Producer
- Brandon Felty: YouTuber
- Stan Felty: Writer, Poet and Screenwriter
- Miles Felty: Jazz Bassist
- Durwood Felty: Visual Artist and Painter
- Clay Felty: Actor and Voice Actor
- Simon Felty: Model and Actor
- Catherine Felty: Guitarist and Singer
- Dave Felty: Cinematographer and Director
- Joey Felty: Country Musician
- Jaren Felty: Professional Motocross Racer
- Andrew Felty: Radiographer and Musician
- Arnold Felty: Speaker and Professor