Surname von Schönfeld - Meaning and Origin
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von Schönfeld: What does the surname von Schönfeld mean?
The surname von Schönfeld is of German origin, and originated as a noble title with references to the town of Schönfeld. The name translates to “of Schönfeld,” suggesting that the original bearer was a noble from or living near the town.
In the Middle Ages, the von Schönfeld family would have been landed aristocracy. As a noble family, their members would have held positions of power, wealth, and influence in society. Initially, the noble family arose from a certain place, and probably gained power and wealth through land-ownership, marriage, political favors, or other strategies. This is why the name often still implies elite bloodlines and ancestry.
In modern times, the name von Schönfeld no longer denotes someone of nobility. While the bloodlines and family backgrounds of the original members may still be apparent, individuals with the name von Schönfeld do not necessarily share the same social standing or privilege as their predecessors.
The name von Schönfeld is usually associated with German, Austrian, and Swiss cultures, but people with the surname can now be found in most parts of the world. Those who bear the name must take into account the rich history of their ancestry and the meaning of their name, as well as the changing landscape of society in modern times.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Schönfeld: Where does the name von Schönfeld come from?
The von Schönfeld name is most commonly found in Germany. The earliest records of the family occur in the late 12th century in the County of Platen and the County of Ratzeburg in the north-western regions of Germany. Through a process of feudalism and land acquisitions, the family's influence and prominence spread to the German States of Prussia and Saxony during the 16th-17th centuries. During the early 19th century, the family held immensly prominent positions in Prussia, including Colonel-in-Chief of the Prussian Army and Court Kammerabiner for King Frederick III.
Throughout the 19th century, many members of the von Schönfeld family began to emigrate to America, with branches of the family settling in Chicago, Detroit, and New York. Today, the von Schönfeld name is spread across German-speaking countries in Europe as well as the United States. In Germany, the von Schönfeld name is most commonly found in Bavaria and Berlin. However, it is not as prominent today as it was in the 16th – 19th centuries.
Variations of the surname von Schönfeld
The surname von Schönfeld is an aristocratic German name historically associated with the nobility of Prussia. Its variant spellings and surnames of the same origin include Schonfeld, Schönfeld, Schönfelder, Shoenfeld, Shonfeld, Shönfeld, Schonfield, Shonfield, Schoenfelder, Shoenfelder, and Shönfelder.
The surname is derived from the German word “schonfeld”, meaning beautiful or pleasant field. This may refer to a family's estates or to newly cleared land they owned, or it may simply be an occupational reference, indicating someone who farmed. The word “von” indicates that the family were originally from the aristocratic class and could trace their ancestry back to the nobility of Prussia.
The majority of people with the von Schönfeld surname are found in Germany, although it is also seen in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and the United States.
The surname has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years, likely due to immigration. Those people most likely represent a mix of more recent German arrivals and those who had an ancestor who emigrated to the US many years ago.
The von Schönfeld surname is notable for its longevity throughout the centuries. The family can trace their lineage in Prussia to the 12th century, and today is seen in thousands of records around the world.
Famous people with the name von Schönfeld
- Christian von Schönfeld (1757–1821), an Austro-Hungarian geographer.
- Mathilde von Schönfeld (1866–1918), a German uranographer and writer.
- Martina von Schönfeld (1805–1880), a German operatic soprano.
- Adolf von Schönfeld (1829–1912), an Austrian astronomer and mathematician.
- Franz von Schönfeld (1827–1911), an Austrian general and military strategist.
- Johann von Schönfeld (1793–1875), a German linguist and folklorist.
- Hugo von Schönfeld (1871–1959), an Austrian painter and illustrator.
- Itish von Schönfeld (1863–1941), a German bibliographer and librarian.
- Isaac von Schönfeld (1750–1817), a Viennese surgeon.
- Georg Rudolph von Schönfeld (1786–1819), a Bavarian military commander.