Surname Roggenfeld - Meaning and Origin
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Roggenfeld: What does the surname Roggenfeld mean?
The last name Roggenfeld is of German origin. It likely derived from the Middle High German words "roggen" and "velde," which in combination mean "rye field." The name denotes a topographic feature such as a field which was planted with rye, or someone who lived by a rye field.
In the Middle Ages, rye was a staple food in Germany. Growing it was essential for survival and thus the field where rye was planted was a very important part of life. In many areas of Germany, the local dialects still pronounce the word “roggen” in the same manner as it would have been spoken during the Middle Ages.
The surname Roggenfeld can also refer to a person from a settlement near a rye field. As the name implies, this might have been a small village or hamlet. As such, the surname was likely borne by many people in the area who lived in close proximity to the rye field. It is likely that these people had a tradition, or an element of their culture centered on this field and their ancestors who worked it.
Although the origin of the Roggenfeld name is rooted in the Middle Ages, it is still common today. People of the Roggenfeld surname can be found throughout Germany and other European countries. Thus, while the original meaning of the surname was a topographical feature associated with the growing of one of the most important staples of the Middle Ages, it has now also come to represent an entire family with history and culture passed down through the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisRoggenfeld: Where does the name Roggenfeld come from?
The last name Roggenfeld is found predominantly throughout Europe, with the largest concentration being Germany. In Germany, records indicate that the name is concentrated in the states of Hesse and Saarland. Records from the Central Institute for Statistics indicate that of Germany's more than 140 million inhabitants, almost 5,000 are surnamed Roggenfeld. Outside of Germany, the name has spread to places like the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, and even the United States. In the United States, records indicate that there are as many as 300 people who bear the Roggenfeld surname. The root of the name is believed to be a combination of two German words, “roggen” and “feld”, which roughly translates to “rye field”, suggesting an agricultural background for the Roggenfelds through the generations. The earliest records of the name date back to 1206, when one Modewardus de Roggenvelt was recorded in a list of Hessian nobles in Baden-Wurttemberg. Over the centuries, the name has spread out from its roots in Germany to countries and continents around the globe.
Despite having spread far and wide, the name Roggenfeld remains heavily rooted in Germany, with the vast majority of those bearing it still living in the country of its origin.
Variations of the surname Roggenfeld
The surname Roggenfeld is of German origin and is derived from the Old German root rugin meaning "rye" or "grain." Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin include Roggenfelder, Roggenfelde, Roggenfield, Roggenfeld, Ruggenfeld, Rougefeld, Rogenfleder, Ruggenfelter, and Ruginfeld.
The spelling Roggenfeld was first found in the province of Schleswig-Holstein. The earliest record for the surname was found in early transcripts of the Census of Mecklenburg (1662), where Hans Rehgenvelter was recorded and Henning Rugenhagenvelter was mentioned in the Altmärkischer Urkundenbuch (1670).
It is possible that the surname Roggenfeld is derived from a place name with the same root word, such as Roggenfelde in East Prussia or Roggenfeld in Austria. Other old towns with this root word around Germany and Austria can also be found. It is also possible that the surname was derived from occupations related to rye and grain, such as a grain inspector, miller, or farmer.
The surname is still common in parts of Germany and Austria today, and can also be found in other European countries, as well as the United States and Australia.
Famous people with the name Roggenfeld
- Richard Roggenfeld: German Jazz musician
- Yvette Roggenfeld Mouriard: French movie actress
- Lina Roggenfeld: Austrian theatre actress
- Luis Roggenfeld: Argentinian businessman
- Lewis Roggenfeld: British actor
- Guillermo Roggenfeld: Spanish film director
- Jan Roggenfeld: Swedish architect
- Alexis Roggenfeld: Russian painter
- Rebecca Roggenfeld: American politician
- Melina Roggenfeld: Italian fashion designer