Surname Runfeldt - Meaning and Origin

Runfeldt: What does the surname Runfeldt mean?

The last name Runfeldt is a Swedish and German surname of patronymic origin. The name is derived from the Old Swedish language, with the root word "run" meaning "scab" or "rash". This was likely a name used to describe someone from a rash-prone family or someone whose skin was particularly affected by the cold weather. However, the suffix "-feldt" is a German suffix used to denote "field", so it is possible that the name referred to someone who worked or lived on a particular field of land.

The name Runfeldt is derived from a combination of an Old Swedish word meaning "scab" or "rash" and a German suffix denoting "field". This likely refers to someone from a rash-prone family or someone who worked or lived in a particular field of land. The name Runfeldt is predominantly found in the United States and Sweden, as well as a few other parts of Europe, suggesting that this is a relatively common surname throughout both the continent and the world.

The term Runfeldt is usually associated with honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. The meaning of the name is thought to imply reliability, as the rash-prone person or one working on a field would have had to be both reliable and hardworking in order to survive. People with the last name Runfeldt are usually seen to be reliable and hardworking, as well as trustworthy and loyal.

Runfeldt: Where does the name Runfeldt come from?

The last name Runfeldt is historically associated with regions in northern and central Europe, most notably Sweden, Germany, and Denmark. It is also seen in many Scandinavian-American communities that have grown significantly in North America as a result of immigration from those regions during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, the Runfeldt last name is most common in the Scandinavian countries. According to the Swedish National Archives, it is the 676th most common last name in the nation. It is also moderately common in the United States, where the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) place it as the 3833rd most popular last name.

The Runfeldt surname was likely derived from Old Germanic and Old Norse sources, reflecting the familial or regional ties of its Scandinavian origin. At the same time, it also appears to have derived from the words “Run” and “Feldt,” reflecting the use of runic symbols in ancient cultures of the region.

The presence of the Runfeldt surname is preserved in a number of records, potentially extending back to the 13th century, mainly in Scandinavia, and is likely to be far more widespread than the current statistics indicate. Today, the surname Runfeldt is typically associated with familial and/or regional ties and a strong connection to the Scandinavian culture.

Variations of the surname Runfeldt

The surname Runfeldt is an uncommon and unisex name, and has many different spellings and variants. Many of these are quite similar, and they can be seen as adaptations of the same family name.

Runfeldt itself is a Finnish/Swedish and German variation of the name Ronfeldt and Runfelt. It is thought to come from a place name, such as Runfeld or Rumfelde (both in Germany) or Ramfjärd (Sweden).

The various permutations of the name include Runfelt, Runfeld, Runfeldt, Rönfeldt, Ronfeld, Ronfeldt, Ranfeld, Ranfeldt, and Rumfeld. Some of the spelling variations or variants could have occurred due to a misreading or mishearing of the speech of the person, a change of spelling by an immigration or naturalization official when recording names in a new land, or simply a preference for a different spelling.

The family names that trace to the same origins as Runfeldt include Ronfelt, Ronfalt, Rönfelt, Ranfelt, Rumfelt, and Ropfelt. These surname variants may have also come through Finland and Sweden, being heavily influenced by Swedish and Finnish orthography.

Many of these surname variants have been slightly altered over the years to account for different language systems or individual taste. The surnames are all derived from a common origin, but the spelling has evolved over time to show a subtly distinct difference.

Famous people with the name Runfeldt

• Jory Runfeldt, professional basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
• Tor Runfeldt, retired professional ice hockey player for the Phoenix Coyotes.
• Henrik Runfeldt, professional ice hockey player who premiered for the Allsvenska in 1996 for Färjestads BK.
• John Runfeldt, professional chess player and Swedish Chess Champion in 1982.
• Ellen Runfeldt, founding member of the Swedish Democratic Bellevue, a conservative non-profit policy think-tank.
• Carl Runfeldt, prominent Swedish diplomat who served in several diplomatic posts in Tunis and during the Congo crisis of 1960-64.
• Robert Runfeldt, Swedish author of Swedish military history books.
• Leif Runfeldt, former Swedish basketball player who played in the Swedish Basketball League during the 1980’s.
• Paul Runfeldt, Swedish entrepreneur and investor who founded the biotech company Regen Design and Development.
• Clarence Runfeldt, former American football player who played for the San Diego Chargers in the NFL.

Other surnames

Runfelt