Surname Schönefeld - Meaning and Origin
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Schönefeld: What does the surname Schönefeld mean?
The last name Schönefeld is a German surname derived from the location of Schönefeld, a small town located in the state of Brandenburg in Germany. The name translates to “beautiful field” and is thought to be in reference to the lush farmland in the area.
The origin of the town itself dates back to at least the 13th century, when it was first mentioned in historical documents. Initial records suggested that it was more of a fortification, until around the 18th century when it was possibly used as a summer palace for a nobleman. Through the centuries, the town transformed and adapted to meet the needs of its population, with a railway station opening in the 19th century and a post office being set up in the 20th.
The first recorded instance of the Schönefeld surname occurred in Silesian Prussia in 1750 when Anna Schönefeld married into a family of stonemasons. It is believed that the name served as an identifier for the family’s origins and the surrounding area. Initially, the Schönefeld name was limited to a small region in Germany, but as the centuries passed, the population and use of the name spread further afield.
Today, Schönefeld remains an area of both archaeological and historical interest. The town itself has grown over the years, making it another place to add to the map of German heritage. The Schönefeld last name, too, has gone on to be spread over countries and continents, with people proud to bear the name in honor of the heritage it represents.
Order DNA origin analysisSchönefeld: Where does the name Schönefeld come from?
The last name Schönefeld is most commonly found in Germany today. The Schönefeld family originates in the Brandenburg region, part of the historical region of the Prussian state.
The family name is derived from the German word "schön" meaning pretty or beautiful, and "feld" meaning field or meadow. This indicates that the family likely originates from a beautiful field or green meadow.
Traced back through records, the Schönefeld family can be found in the Brandenburg region as far back as the early 1600s, specifically in the pressen of Eberswalde. The Schönefeld family production as a whole has roots in agriculture, building, and baking.
Schönefeld is most prevalent today in Prussia, the capital of Germany. It is here that the most concentration of Schönefeld can be found. Beyond Prussia, Schönefeld can be found in other German regions, such as Saxony, Bavaria, Hesse, and Lower Saxony, where smaller population clusters exist.
One of the largest concentrations of Schönefeld outside of Prussia is in the United States. In fact, many Schönefeld emigrated to the US in the late 19th century. Specifically, many can be found in Upper Midwest states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Illinois.
The Schönefeld family has a rich history in Germany and continues to be an important part of the German identity today.
Variations of the surname Schönefeld
The surname Schönefeld has several spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. The main spelling is Schönefeld, though it can also be spelled Schoenefeld, Schoenefeldt, Schönfeld, Schonfeld, Schenefeld, and Schoenfeld. It is a variant of the German Schönefelde, which translates as 'beautiful field'.
In some cases, the surname Schönefeld has been translated from German into other languages, such as Polish and Czech. It is sometimes spelled as Szcepinek, Zcepinski, Szepnek, Scepiku, or Scepuvka. In cases where Schönefeld may have been anglicized during immigration, it can sometimes be found spelled as Shoenfield or Shoenfeld.
In some cases, the surname Schönefeld has turned into other surnames that are variations of the original. These include Schönfelder, Schonfelder, and Schoenfelder. Depending on the region, it may also be spelled Schoenfels, Schonfels, Schonfelsen, Schaunfeld, Schaunfels, Schonfelzer, Schoenfelser, and Schonfelder.
When researching the surname Schönefeld, it is important to be aware of the many variations and spellings. This can help to trace family history more accurately and ensure accuracy in records.
Famous people with the name Schönefeld
- Axel Schönefeld- a German politician and member of the Social Democratic Party.
- Christian Schönefeld- a former East German GDR international football player.
- Hans Schönefeld- a World War I fighter ace credited with 11 aerial victories.
- Jana Schönefeld- a German actor and model, best known for her roles in Dark (2017) and Transporter: The Series (2014).
- Jürgen Schönefeld- a child actor and screenwriter in East Germany who starred in 70 movies.
- Leon Schönefeld- a painter and sculptor known primarily for creating weathervanes.
- Matt Schönefeld- a West German track and field athlete who specialized in the 110 metre hurdles.
- Paul Schönefeld- a German architect who specialized in expressionist and Bauhaus style buildings.
- Ralph Schönefeld- a German chemist, credited with the development of fuel cell technology in the 1970s.
- Robert Schönefeld- a German physicist most famous for his pioneering work on quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics.