Surname Schönfeldt - Meaning and Origin
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Schönfeldt: What does the surname Schönfeldt mean?
The last name Schönfeldt is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German word ‘schon’, meaning ‘beautiful’ or ‘handsome’, and the word ‘feld', meaning ‘open land’ or ‘field’. Thus, the word Schönfeldt literally translates to ‘beautiful field’ and was historically used to denote someone who lived near or owned a beautiful field.
The Schönfeldt surname is believed to have originated in Germany’s rural provinces during the Middle Ages and was gradually adopted throughout central and then western Europe. The name continues to be common in Germany today, making it one of the country’s most widespread surnames. It is also found sporadically in countries like Austria, the Netherlands, and the United States, among others.
The family of the Schönfeldts, who have lived on the same land for centuries, are often viewed as rooted, enterprising, and passionate about ensuring the legacy of the land. They are known for their high values, pride in their name and heritage, and commitment to their culture and country.
The Schönfeldts are united by a strong bond that spans generations, and there is an understanding within the family that they are gentle caretakers of their land and their name. They remain proud to be Schönfeldts and are grateful for the opportunity to continue their legacy through their descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisSchönfeldt: Where does the name Schönfeldt come from?
The last name Schönfeldt is an ancient German surname that is currently found in various parts of the world. The original Schönfeldt root was found in the Palatinate region of Germany, where the name was popular until the early nineteenth century. Since then, many people with the Schönfeldt surname have moved throughout Europe and beyond. Today, it is of particular renown in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
In Germany, the Schönfeldt name is particularly prevalent in the southeastern part of the country. Its highest concentrations are found in the cities of Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, and Berlin. Additionally, it is common in the nearby regions of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse.
Austria is also home to a significant population of Schönfeldts, with concentrations located primarily in the country’s southern regions. Notably, many of these earliest Austrian Schönfeldts crossed into Austria during the Middle Ages and made their homes in Vienna, Graz, and Klagenfurt.
Finally, the Czech Republic is home to a substantial population of Schönfeldts, primarily in the western part of the country—namely, the cities of Prague and České Budějovice.
Overall, the last name Schönfeldt can be found in several countries throughout Europe, North America, and even South America. The highest concentrations are still found in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, however, and many Schönfeldts in these regions can trace the origin of their family name back centuries.
Variations of the surname Schönfeldt
The surname Schönfeldt is a German patronymic surname, meaning "beautiful field", derived from the words schön ("beautiful") and feld ("field").
Schönfeldt is one of a range of surnames derived from the German language, and is the most common spelling. Other Germanic spellings include Schonfeldt, Schonfeld, Schoenfeldt, Schoenfeld, Schonfelt, Schonfield, Schoenfelt, Schoenfield, Schonveld, Schonveldt, Schoenveld, and Schoenveldt.
Variants of this surname in other languages include the Dutch Schoonveld, the French Schonfeld, the Swedish Schonfelt, the Danish Schonfeld, and the Norwegian Schonfelt.
There is also the Czech surname Schoncová, which is a feminine form of Schönfeld.
The Anglicized version of the name in many countries is Shearsonfield, Shearonfield, Shearsenfield, Shearfield, Shornfeld, Shornfield, Scheffenfield, Scheresfield, Shurnfield, and Shurfield.
The Russian version of the surname is Шеронфельд (Scheronfeld), while the Ukrainian version is Шеронфельт (Scheronfelt).
Some other German variants of the name include Schönfledt, Schönfeller, Schönefeld, and Schönefelt.
There are also other spellings of the same origin that are slightly less common, such as Schonfels, Schoenfels, Schonfrick, Schoenfrick, and Schoenfrik.
Overall, there are many different variants of the surname Schönfeldt, with more than 10 spellings and variants across different languages.
Famous people with the name Schönfeldt
- Guillaume Schönfeldt: French painter famous for his portraits of Dutch royalty, including King Louis XV and his family.
- Kurt Schönfeldt: German opera singer, best known for leading roles in the works of Mozart and Wagner.
- Hermann Schönfeldt: German opera composer and conductor, known for works such as the operas Das Feuerkreuz and Der schöne Schiller.
- Rita Schönfeldt: German writer of children's literature, best known for her works Der Eisenbahnführer and Kleiner Stern.
- Werner Schönfeldt: German philologist and literary historian, known for his work on the life and works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
- Johann Schönfeldt: German scientific instrument maker, known for developing a measuring apparatus that allowed for the comparison of the purity of water sources.
- Ernst Schönfeldt: German agricultural economist, best known for his work on agricultural taxation.
- Martin Schönfeldt: German theologian, known for his work on the relationship between faith and reason.
- Friedrich Schönfeldt: German ophthalmologist, known for his work on the prevention of blindness and diseases of the eyes.
- Carl Schönfeldt: German botanist and horticulturist, known for his works on the classification of plants.