Surname Stötefeld - Meaning and Origin
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Stötefeld: What does the surname Stötefeld mean?
The German surname Stötefeld derives from the Middle High German word "stoeten," which means “to beat a path.” Thus, Stötefeld likely indicates the family was well-established in an area and might have been the first to blaze a path in a settlement or through a wild area.
The origin of the word also suggests that the Stötefeld family may have started as a group of peasants and laborers. They probably reluctantly complied with orders from local aristocratic families or medieval rulers to lay boundaries and create roads.
Alternatively, the name may have a more noble origin. It is possible that during a time of conflict, a member of the Stötefeld family demonstrated effective leadership and was bestowed with honor and status by their superiors. Consequently, they would receive the exclusive right to a certain terrain or area.
In contemporary Germany, Stötefeld is a rare last name. Most people who carry this name are descendants of the original Stötefeld family, who lived in the Middle High German period. Bearing this name may signify to others that one is a member of the Stötefeld family, with a proud history and connection to the region.
Order DNA origin analysisStötefeld: Where does the name Stötefeld come from?
The surname Stötefeld is most commonly found in Germany, with the highest concentrations of people with this surname located in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. Stötefeld is a fairly uncommon name outside of Germany and, to a lesser extent, Austria. It is believed that the name has its roots in the Middle Ages, and traces back to a Viking namesake. A few families with this name have emigrated to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands, where the surname may be slightly more common.
It is believed that the Stötefeld family originated in the Duchy of Westphalia, which is now located in north-west Germany. The Stötefeld surname is believed to be derived from an old German term for a stockade, ‘Stotevod’ or ‘Stoteveld’. Additionally, the name Stötefeld may be an occupational name that indicates a person who worked as a stonemason or guard.
Today, the Stötefeld family is spread around the world, although most of the family remains within Germany, Austria and the surrounding Germanic countries. The Stötefeld surname is particularly common in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, where it is estimated that around two hundred people carry the name. Reunion-style events involving Stötefeld families are common in Germany and Austria, allowing families to stay connected and exchange stories about their ancestors.
Variations of the surname Stötefeld
Stötefeld is a Germanic surname derived from the German verb “Stötzen”, meaning “prop or support”. Common variations considering spelling and pronunciation include Stoteff, Stoeffel and Stöffel, as well as variants of the name from other countries, such as Stotfield and Stutfield in England.
The variant surnames that are related to Stötefeld and that have the same origin are numerous. These include Stöfel, Stöffel, Stoffel, Stoefel, Stofel, Stoffolder, Stutzfeld, Stutefield, Stutfield, Stutefield, Stutphelt, Stutefelt, Stuttevel, Stutveld, Stutwelt, Stoepel, Stuppel, Stuppelmann, Stuppleman, Stutvel, Stutwel, Stutwirt, Stutwert, Stutwurf, Stutwerf, Stutweit, Stutfeld, Stutfle, Stutzfle, Stutzfelt, Stutzfel, Stutfeldt, Stutzfelt, Stötefeldt, Stotevelt and Stotevield.
The distinctively Germanic spellings of Stutfle and Stutzfle refer to the place of origin for this surname. The original town or village of Stötefeld is no longer accessible, but most who have adopted this name can trace it back to Germany or even nearby areas such as the Netherlands, Austria, and Denmark.
Surnames related to Stötefeld that can be found outside of Germany include Stotefield, Stottfield, Stotevelt, Stottvelt, and Stutvield in the Netherlands; Stodfield, Stodvelt, and Stotveld in England; and Stotfield in the United States. There may be additional variant spellings and surname forms that have yet to be documented.
Famous people with the name Stötefeld
- Ryan Stötefeld: Canadian actor, model and singer. He is best known for his roles as Drew Suzuki in the Netflix series The Resistance and as Ewart on Wynonna Earp.
- Helmut Stötefeld: German football player. He was a goalkeeper for Eintracht Braunschweig in the 1960s and 1970s.
- Wilhelm Stötefeld: German explorer and geographer. He made significant contributions to the mapping of Sakhalin Island and was the first to measure the depth of Lake Baikal.
- Susanne Stötefeld: German singer and songwriter. She has released several albums, including Schlaflieder in 2016 and Heimat in 2017.
- Tom Stötefeld: German ice hockey player. He played for the Schaerbeek Predators in the Belgian Ice Hockey League.
- Birgit Stötefeld: German actress and television presenter. She is best known for hosting the TV show 'Die wirklich wahren Detektive' on RTL.
- Heiko Stötefeld: German political scientist and specialist in public policy. He has published several books on public policy and governance.
- Niklas Stötefeld: German football player. He played for Hertha BSC in the 2013–2014 season.
- Lutz Stötefeld: German historian and author. He has written books on the history of the German Democratic Republic and has also contributed to multiple television documentaries.
- Monika Stötefeld: German actress and singer. She is best known for her role as the title character in the musical play Die Prinzessin Germania.