Surname Neifeldt - Meaning and Origin

Neifeldt: What does the surname Neifeldt mean?

Neifeldt is a German surname. The literal translation of the name is “new field,” derived from the two words “neu” meaning “new” and “feld” meaning “field.” The name likely originated as a toponymic surname, referring to the region a particular family originally hailed from. It is believed that the family may have moved in search of new opportunities in a new place or field.

The surname Neifeldt is spread across Germany, with a particularly large presence in the country’s southern regions. Smaller numbers of people bearing the name also live in the United States, Austria, Switzerland, and a few other European countries.

Since this type of surname is location-based, it is believed that the Neifeldt name is connected to a particular geographical area or region. The name is associated with various places like the city of Neifeld in the state of Thuringia, German city Bavaria, and an area with the same name in the Rhineland–Palatinate region. Historians believe that people with the name Neifeldt, or some variation of it, resided in these locations centuries ago and that the name was adopted by their descendants.

The surname is a physical representation of the immigrant journey of a particular family, providing a link to their ancestral homeland and their new home. It is also a testament to the resilience and creativity of the family, who persevered and moved on to a new field of opportunities.

Neifeldt: Where does the name Neifeldt come from?

The surname Neifeldt is believed to have first emerged in German-speaking countries. It is likely derived from the word “neu” meaning “new” and “feld” meaning “field”. As the name originated from a location, it can be assumed that those who originally took the surname were landholders.

Today, the surname Neifeldt is still reported throughout Germany. It is also widely recorded in the United States, where it is estimated to be held by over 1,000 individuals. Records indicate that it was introduced to the country during the 18th and 19th century, as German immigrants brought the name with them.

The surname is also recorded across other countries such as Canada, England, Scotland, Sweden and the Netherlands. For example, it is estimated that there are around 800 individuals with the surname Neifeldt in Canada.

The Neifeldt surname may be associated with nobility in some cases; it is reported that there was a baroness with the surname in the 19th century. It is thought that some families decided to adopt this surname in an effort to bolster their social status.

In modern times, the surname Neifeldt remains common in German-speaking countries as well as other regions around the world where it was introduced by German immigrants. It is not just associated with nobility, though some families may still view it as a way to demonstrate a higher social standing than their peers.

Variations of the surname Neifeldt

The surname Neifeldt has a variety of different spellings and variants that stem from its origin. The original Neifeldt surname is of German origin. The most common variants for this surname include Neifield, Neifelt, Neifold, Neiffelt, Neifold, Neufeldt, and Naifield. The German spelling for Neifeldt is Naeveldt.

The origin of the Neifeldt surname comes from the Old High German word "nibilt" which meant "meadow", and was likely derived from those who lived near a meadow.

In addition to being an alternate spelling, the surname Neifelt is also an occupational surname, possibly derived from a profession such as a miller or a brewer. This name can also sometimes be found as an English name, derived from the Middle English "naif" meaning a simpleton or fool.

The variant Neufeldt is also of German origin, and derived from the Middle High German word "nouvelo", meaning new field. This was likely a surname given to those who had recently acquired land.

The Neifeldt surname can also be found in other Eastern European countries such as Poland, Russia, Czech Republic, and Ukraine. In these countries, this surname is often spelled "Nevyelt" or "Nevyeltz" and can sometimes be represented with different endings such as "ski" instead of "v".

Famous people with the name Neifeldt

• Jeff Neifeldt: Jeff Neifeldt is a professional football player who played in the NFL from 1981 to 1986. He played for the New York Jets and the Green Bay Packers.
• Shannon Neifeldt: Shannon Neifeldt is an actress who has appeared in a number of film and television projects, including the movies Space Camp, Bruce Almighty, and Fever Pitch.
• Jake Neifeldt:Jake Neifeldt is an American basketball player who has played professionally in Europe.
• Deanna Neifeldt: Deanna Neifeldt is an Olympic bronze medalist, having competed in the Winter Games in Lillehammer in 1994.
• Johanna Neifeldt: Johanna Neifeldt is an epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist. She received her PhD in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of California–Berkeley.
• Joseph Neifeldt: Joseph Neifeldt is a professional chef and the owner of the high-end French restaurant La Petite Touque in New York City.
• Kent Neifeldt: Kent Neifeldt is an award-winning documentary filmmaker. His films focus on topics such as human rights and environmental protection.
• Martin Neifeldt: Martin Neifeldt is an American theologian and ordained priest in the Episcopal Church. He has written numerous books and articles on theology, spirituality and pastoral ministry.
• Nathan Neifeldt: Nathan Neifeldt is a professional snowboarder who has competed in the Winter Olympics and World Cup events.
• Robert Neifeldt: Robert Neifeldt is a retired high school English and social studies teacher from Woodland Hills, California.

Other surnames

Neifeld