Surname Lehfelder - Meaning and Origin
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Lehfelder: What does the surname Lehfelder mean?
The last name Lehfelder is a common German surname derived from the Old High German words “lehf” and “er”, meaning “meadow dweller”. The first record of the name dates back to 1229, when a noble family with the name “ von Lehfelder” is mentioned in a German charter. The name likely served as an identifier for individuals who lived in the countryside and worked the land.
Given the rural nature of the surname, the Lehfedlers of today are likely to be descendent from agricultural families. One trait that many people with the Lehfelder surname share is a strong sense of loyalty and dedication to their families and communities. A common saying among Lehfelder is “Do what is good for the family.”
Those who carry the Lehfelder name are known for their commitment to hard work, honesty, and diligence. They are practical people who are deeply rooted in the principles of self-reliance and perseverance. These traits have been among the most desirable qualities in a family for centuries, as they equate to strong bonds and the promise of continued success.
The Lehfelder name today carries a sense of pride and respect, and is a testament to hardworking farmers of the past who labored long hours to keep their families fed and clothed. Proudly displaying the Lehfelder name, for generations, this resilient German surname stands tall as a reminder of strength and resilience found in the people who gave it its identity.
Order DNA origin analysisLehfelder: Where does the name Lehfelder come from?
The last name Lehfelder is most commonly found today in the United States and Germany.
In the United States, the largest concentration of Lehfelder's is found in Ohio, followed by New York, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. Surname distribution estimations for Lehfelder reveal that within the United States, the name is most frequently found in cities like Cleveland, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Chicago.
In Germany, the largest population of Lehfelders are found in the state of Baden-Württemberg, with smaller but still significant populations found in Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Berlin is the city with the highest concentration of the surname, and it is followed by Stuttgart, Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt.
Interestingly, the history of the Lehfelder surname indicates that it was originally a family of German origin, with the first known Lehfelder found in a small settlement near the city of Freising in Bavaria in the 1600s. The family then migrated to the United States in the late 19th century, where it remains today.
Overall, the last name Lehfelder is most commonly found today in the United States and Germany, as well as occasionally in other European countries.
Variations of the surname Lehfelder
Lehfelder is derived from the German occupational surname for a tanner or leatherworker, which was once a highly-regarded trade. It is said to mean "someone from the tannery (felder) near the riverbank (leh). There are variants and spelling variations of this surname, which can include Liefeld, Liefelder, Leifel, Leifeler, Leiffel, Leiffelder, and Liefel.
Surnames that may be related to Lehfelder include Liefer, Leifer, Leiffer, Leifert, Leiffert, Lehfritz, Leichtlein, Lichtlein, Lichtfuss, Lichterfuss, Lighterfuss, Lifeld, Lufelder, and Lüfler. These names are mostly related to tanning and leatherworking, though in some cases they may apply to other trades as well.
Lehfelder is also sometimes traced to other regions, such as the Netherlands, Belgium, and even Scandinavia. In these countries, the surname has several spellings: Liffeldt, Liffeld, Leefel, Leefeld, Leefen, and Louveld; as well as different spellings of the two components of the name, such as "leeu" instead of "leh," and "vel" instead of "felder".
It is also possible that Lehfelder has various origins; it may be derived from the German word lof, meaning 'blessing' or 'praise.' It could also originate from an occupation related to clay, pottery, molding, and shaping, or be of a patronymic or metronymic origin.
In short, Lehfelder is derived from the German occupational surname for a tanner or leatherworker, and has numerous variants, spellings, and related surnames across several countries. It may also have other origins, but they are more difficult to trace.
Famous people with the name Lehfelder
- Uwe Lehfelder: German landscape painter.
- Richard Lehfelder: German author, journalist, and cultural critic.
- Ulrich Lehfelder: former interpreter nominated for the distinguished Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
- Carsten Lehfelder: CEO of Google Germany.
- Anke Lehfelder: former professional Fifa footballer.
- Gerd Lehfelder: German painter and illustrator.
- Paul Lehfelder: competitive sailor.
- Janina Lehfelder: award-winning German singer and songwriter.
- Roger Lehfelder: German actor and presenter.
- Eva-Maria Lehfelder: German stage actress and singer.