Surname von Winterfeld - Meaning and Origin

von Winterfeld: What does the surname von Winterfeld mean?

The German surname von Winterfeld is thought to be a locational name, derived from a place named "Winterfeldt," which may translate to "winter field." The name likely originated from a person who was born, lived, or owned land near a place with a similar name. The "von" prefix indicates nobility, suggesting that the family could have had some influence or power in the area.

The literal meaning of the word "Winterfeld" is composed of two German words: "Winter," meaning winter, and "feld," meaning field. It is common for places in Germany to have names that reference what the land was historically used for or what it looks like. In this case, the word could refer to an area that was used by farmers during the winter season, since it would be too cold or too wet to use during the warmer months. Alternatively, the land may have been characterized by its snow-covered fields during wintertime.

The use of the prefix von is a marker of nobility, and it is possible that the family name was given to a person or groups of people who were granted some sort of privilege or position of power in the area where the name originated. It was common for families of high social standing to be given the von title, which could explain the aristocratic-sounding origin of the von Winterfeld name.

von Winterfeld: Where does the name von Winterfeld come from?

The last name von Winterfeld is most commonly found today in Germany and other parts of Central Europe. Although there are no reliable records of the exact origins of the name, it is believed to have been first used in Germany during the 12th century and then spread out across the continent. It has been noted in records in the Czech Republic, Poland, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary.

The von Winterfeld surname is thought to be derived from the Winterfeld region in Northern Germany. During the Middle Ages, families from this area were given the name and it was bestowed upon those within the nobility. It was believed to reflect some kind of origin in the area or ties to the local family.

The von Winterfelds established a thriving German banking business in the late 1700s which became a success across Europe. The family also became strong in agriculture and maintained their aristocratic status through the generations.

Despite the presence of the von Winterfeld family during much of German history, the family name is not widely used today. It is thought that some branches are still active in Europe, although there is no clear indication of where the last name is most frequently found. However, with its aristocratic ties, the surname can provide an interesting window into the German past and a link to the wider culture of Central Europe.

Variations of the surname von Winterfeld

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname von Winterfeld include Von Winterefeld, Winterfeldt, Winterefeldt, and Van Wintersvelt.

Von Winterfeld is a German surname, derived from the words "Winter" and "feld" meaning "field of winter." The name is thought to have originated from a geographical location, where descendants first established ownership or residency. The symptomatic von was used to denote individuals of higher social class or noble heritage.

Von Winterefeld is the German version of the surname, while Winterfeldt softens the word and swaps the k sound of the original for a silent t. Winterefeldt follows the same structure as Winterfeldt, but includes an extra e in the middle.

Van Wintersvelt is a Dutch version of the surname, with the Dutch van den structure applied. This would indicate that a Dutch ancestor of the family had used the surname.

Overall, all of these surnames are associated with the same origin, yet vary slightly in spelling or language. This reflects the various migrations or adaptations that the family may have undertaken over their long history. Finally, many individuals carrying this surname and its variants could still be found in Germany and surrounding areas.

Famous people with the name von Winterfeld

• Thomas von Winterfeld: German actor
• Edzard von Winterfeld: German author
• August von Winterfeld: Prussian soldier
• Werner von Winterfeld: German politican
• Barbara von Winterfeld: Austrian actress
• Magdalena von Winterfeld: German pediatrician
• Peter von Winterfeld: Bavarian diplomat
• Franz von Winterfeld: Prussian lawyer and politician
• Ernst von Winterfeld: Prussian lieutenant general
• Alexander von Winterfeld: Prussian cavalry general
• Francois von Winterfeldt: Prussian General of the Artillery
• Heinrich von Winterfeld: Prussian admiral
• Bernhard von Winterfeld: German chessplayer
• Philip von Winterfeld: Prussian privy councillor and finance minister
• Friedrich von Winterfeld: German film director
• Wilhelm von Winterfeld: German mathematician
• Georg von Winterfeld: German major general
• Philippa von Winterfeld: German art historian
• Manney von Winterfeld: German actress 20.i Rudolf von Winterfeld: German sculptor

Other surnames

von Winterfeldt