Surname Sueltenfuss - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Sueltenfuss: What does the surname Sueltenfuss mean?
The surname Sueltenfuss is of German origin. It is derived from the Old German word ‘sueld’ meaning ‘forest’, and ‘tenfuss’ meaning ‘ten feet’. When put together, the surname translates to ‘ten-foot-forest’.
The name was likely used to denote those who owned or worked on land encompassing a forest that measured ten feet tall. In some cases, the name may be related to a trade such as lumbering or farming of a ten-foot-tall forest.
In some cases, the Rosen mines in Bavaria were called 'Sulze' which may have evolved into Sueltenfuss. Furthermore, the name may be derived from the Germanic phrase 'Schaum-velten-fuhse' which means 'shoe-making plowman'.
The name Sueltenfuss is found in Germany, especially in the southern part of the country. It may also be found in other German-speaking countries such as Switzerland and Austria. It is also found in some German-speaking areas of the United States, such as Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Today, the Sueltenfuss surname is still used to denote those who are descended from the original settlers of the ten-foot forest or those related to tradesmen such as a lumberjack, farmer, or shoemaker. The name is also still carried on by some families who have immigrated to the United States from Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisSueltenfuss: Where does the name Sueltenfuss come from?
The last name Sueltenfuss is most commonly found in the United States. It's an Americanized spelling of the German surname Sueltenfuß. The first known records of Sueltenfuss families in the U.S. trace back to the 1700s in Pennsylvania and later to Maryland and Virginia. The surname has roots in Germany where its earliest known origins date back to the 13th century in the historic region of Bavaria.
Today, the greatest concentration of Sueltenfuss families are in the Midwest, particularly in states like Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois. The name is also found in other areas such as Texas, California, and Florida. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there are 410 Sueltenfuss households in the United States, with an estimated population of 1,399.
Since the 1990s, the Sueltenfuss name has been on a decline, likely due to intermarriage and assimilation into German culture after migration to the U.S. However, this last name is still notably popular within the Mennonite community, which traces its roots to the original Sueltenfuss settlers from Germany. As such, the presence of Sueltenfuss households can still be felt within and around these communities when looking at local voter registration data.
Variations of the surname Sueltenfuss
Sueltenfuss is a German surname whose variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Soltenfuss, Soltenfus, Soeltenfuss, Soeltenfus, Söeltenfuss, Söeltenfus, Süeltenfuss, Süeltenfus, Sweltenfuss, and Sweltenfus.
The term “fuss” or “fus” translates to “foot” and, in the context of this surname, means “one who is firmly grounded” or “one who stands firm”. Meanwhile, the origin of the prefix “sue-” is uncertain, but may be derived from either a forename or geographic location.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are typically indicative of a dialectical difference based on region or subculture within the region where the surname first originated. For example, the substitution of “ö” for “o” is typically associated with the Upper Bavarian dialect. Likewise, the “ue” spelling instead of “ü” is associated with the East Bavarian homeland. Finally, the substitution of “w” for “s” has been noted as a southern German dialectical variation.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be found throughout Germany, as well as in areas with large German populations such as the United States. Thus, it is possible to encounter individuals with the Surname Sueltenfuss—or any of its variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin—in almost any part of the world.
Famous people with the name Sueltenfuss
- Andrew Sueltenfuss: a television actor best known for his role as Grady in the Nickelodeon series, The Thundermans.
- Dan Sueltenfuss: a writer, director and producer known for his documentary films such as Chasing the Dream and Say Goodbye.
- Mathew Sueltenfuss: a musician known for being the lead singer of the rock band, The Nighthawks.
- Samantha Sueltenfuss: an actress and singer known for her role on the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and the Broadway production of Grease.
- Taylor Sueltenfuss: a dancer and former winner of the popular show, So You Think You Can Dance.
- Tim Sueltenfuss: a cinematographer known for his work on the Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning television series Ray Donovan.
- Troy Sueltenfuss: an photographer and filmmaker, whose documentaries have been broadcast on networks such as HBO and the BBC.
- Willem Jacob Sueltenfuss: a Dutch biblical scholar and professor who specialized in the New Testament and early Christianity.
- Yolanda Sueltenfuss: an entrepreneur and philanthropist, who is the founder and CEO of two tech companies.