Surname Westerfeld - Meaning and Origin
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Westerfeld: What does the surname Westerfeld mean?
The last name Westerfeld is of German origin, and its literal meaning is "western field". It likely came from an ancestor who lived in a region near a "western field". It is a relatively uncommon surname, and can be found mainly in Germany, and more recently in America.
It is believed to be derived from the old German word "Westorf", which was a combination of two elements - "wester" meaning "western" and "orf" meaning "field". This could describe a place in Germany that was part of the western region. The term "field" likely represented the land owned by the ancestral family.
The first record of the name Westerfeld was in the 13th Century in Gottingen, Germany. The name was recorded in several monasteries and churches in the region, as well as in tax records. At this early time, the name was spelled as "Westervelt", and it wasn't until the 17th Century that the spelling became more standardized.
The name has spread throughout the world since then, following the path of immigration of the many families with the last name. Today, you can find families with the last name Westerfeld in Germany, the United States, Canada, Australia, England, and many other countries.
Order DNA origin analysisWesterfeld: Where does the name Westerfeld come from?
The last name Westerfeld is most commonly found in North America, Europe and Australia. In the United States, the states where Westerfeld is most commonly found are California, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Ohio, and Florida. In Europe, the name is most common in Germany, Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic and Lithuania. In Australia, it is most commonly found in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.
The name likely has German origins, and is a combination of “west” and “feld,” meaning “West Field” and may have been used as a geographic location in Germany. Over time, it likely became a surname as families moved away from their original homes.
The name began to spread through emigration to the United States, Canada, and Australia during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Immigrants often changed the spelling of their names upon arrival in America, and some families changed it to Westerfield. Today, this name remains most popular among families of German or Dutch descent, as well as among United States families of English descent.
The last name Westerfeld may originally have been geographically specific to a certain area in the West of Germany, but today it is found all across North America, Europe and Australia.
Variations of the surname Westerfeld
The surname Westerfeld is derived from the German language and can be spelled in several ways, including Westerfeld, Westerfelde, and Wusterfeldt. In the Netherlands, the name is sometimes spelled as Westerveld.
Westerfeld is derived from the words "wester" and "veld," which mean "western field". This name likely referred to a person from a western area of land, which could have been a either a field, a meadow, or a clearing. The suffix "-feld" or "-veld" means "field" in German, so it's likely that a Westerfeld was someone who was associated with the land in some way, such as a farmer.
Variations on the name Westerfeld include Vestefeld, Westefeld, Westelfeld, and Westfield. Other variations include the surnames Westerfel, Westerfield, and Westveld.
Variations on the surname Westerfeld are common throughout Europe. In German-speaking countries, Westerfeld is also sometimes spelled Westfeld, Westervelt, and Westervell. In Dutch-speaking countries it's sometimes spelled Westervel, Westvel, Westvels, and Westvelt. In other countries the surname may be spelled Westerfeldt, Westfall, Westfaller, and Westhofer.
No matter the spelling, most people with the surname Westerfeld are likely to be related in some way. All the variations of the name are derived from the same source, and those with the same surname often have shared family histories.
Famous people with the name Westerfeld
- Scott Westerfeld: an American science fiction and young adult author. He is best known for the Uglies series, which was adapted into a major motion picture.
- Troy Westerfeld: an American actor, model and author. He is the author of the popular book "The Frog Prince" and has appeared in many television series and films such as "The Breakfast Club" and "Gossip Girl".
- Tim Westerfeld: an American musician and singer-songwriter. He is best known for his hit single "Vindicator", which was featured in the movie "The Matrix".
- Don Westerfeld: an American actor and filmmaker, best known for his roles in the "Highway to Heaven" television series and the films "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai" and "Star Trek: The Motion Picture".
- M. T. Anderson: an American author of young adult literature. His book "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation" was awarded the National Book Award.
- William Westerfeld: a German author and journalist, best known for his novels and biographies about the history of Germany prior to and during World War II.
- Gordon Westerfield: an Australian biologist and author best known for his early work in plant physiology and later contribution to evolutionary theory.