Surname Schönfeld - Meaning and Origin

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Z. Schönfeld

Schönfeld: What does the surname Schönfeld mean?

The last name Schönfeld is a German surname of noble origin. Schönfeld is derived from the German words “schön” meaning “beautiful” and “feld” meaning “field”, thus giving the literal translation of “beautiful field”. During the Middle Ages, the name was used to denote people who owned or lived in a particularly beautiful area of land, often being an estate or large estate. The title of nobility could also be associated with this surname, as traditionally, members of the German noble class were granted certain rights and privileges including land and titles.

In modern times, the surname Schönfeld is still found across Germany, Austria and Switzerland. While most people with the surname Schönfeld are not part of the German nobility, the name tends to evoke feelings of nobility and respect due to its prestigious origins. The name is also quite popular, with Schönfeld appearing as the 414th most common surname in Austria.

In the end, the German surname Schönfeld can be seen to harken back to long-held German traditions of nobility and land-ownership. While the surname may have faded in terms of traditional nobility, the legacy of Schönfeld lives on as a popular emblem of class and prestige.

Schönfeld: Where does the name Schönfeld come from?

The last name Schönfeld is most common in Germany today, with an especially high concentration of the name in the former German states of Saxony and Bavaria. It is a relatively rare name overall, though, with roughly 800-900 people in Germany with the family name.

The last name is also present in other countries, primarily Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, and the United States. The largest occurrences in the US are in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Austria has the highest concentration of Schönfelds outside of Germany, with roughly 500 individuals living there.

Schönfeld is a variation of the German phrase “schön feld,” meaning “beautiful field.” This name reflects the rural nature of life and the love of nature of many of those with the last name. The earliest recording of the last name in its current spelling is from 1373.

Schönfeld is an occupational name, with those belonging to the family likely once having been involved in agricultural and rural work, particularly relating to fields. It is a reminder of the importance of the land and of nature in German culture.

The last name continues to be passed down through families today, and is seen as a reminder of the rich history and traditions of Germany. Though uncommon in terms of its name overall, Schönfeld remains a mainstay in the culture of Germany and a reminder of the importance of tradition.

Variations of the surname Schönfeld

The surname Schönfeld is a German surname derived from the words “schön” meaning “beautiful” and “feld” meaning “field”. The surname likely originated with families that owned a lovely or beautiful field.

Variants of the surname Schönfeld include Schoenfeld, Schonfeld, Schönfield, Schonfield, Shoenfeld, Shonfeld, Schonfelder, Schoenfelder, Schonfelter, Schonfelt, Shoenfelt, and Shonfelt.

Spellings of the surname Schönfeld include Schonfeld, Schonfield, Schoenfeld, Schoenfield, Schonfelder, Schoenfelder, Schonfelter, Schonfelt, Shoenfelt, and Shonfelt.

Surnames of the same origin as Schönfeld could be Schoene, Schoening, Schnees, Schoenmaker, and Schoenlein. A variant of the surname Schönfeld could also be Schönmaker.

The surnames Schoene, Schoening, and Schnees are variations of the German word “schön” meaning “beautiful”, while the surnames Schoenmaker and Schoenlein are derived from the German word “schön”, as well as the word “maker” meaning “maker” or “builder”. Schönmaker is a variant of the surname Schönfeld and is a combination of the words “schön” and “maker”.

Famous people with the name Schönfeld

• Alexander Schönfeld: He is a German-born actor and producer, best known for his roles in the films The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights (2009) and Captain Spirit (2018).
• Julius Schönfeld: He was a composer and accompanist of the 19th century. He composed cantatas, romances, songs, string pieces and piano pieces.
• Israel Schönfeld: A prolific Viennese painter, he mainly worked with oil paintings and etchings. He specialized in marine landscapes and his most famous paintings are found in the Albertina Museum, Vienna.
• Wilhelm Schönfeld: He was a German theologian, born in Kiel, Germany. He served as professor of Dogmatics and Comparative Religion at Marburg University in Hesse and is known for his writings on philosophy, religion and natural sciences.
• Maya Schönfeld: A singer/songwriter, she has released 4 studio albums and is a notable performer in the indie-folk music scene.
• Emil Schönfeld: Also known as Castun, he was a German-born landscape painter and popular adventurer, known for being the first foreign artist to paint the Italian Dolomites.
• Emil Schönfeld-Kaufmann: He was a German doctor and surgeon, specializing in ophthalmology. He was a prolific researcher and is credited with the invention of the first ophthalmoscope.
• Wilhelm Schönfeld-Kirchner: A world-renowned and influential German sculptor, he was most noted for his open-air sculptures, devoted to religious and philosophical themes.
• Richard Schönfeld: A German actor and director, he has had roles in more than 30 TV & film projects. He is also an accomplished voice actor and has lent his voice to many popular video game projects.

Other surnames

SchönfelderSchönfeldtSchönfels