Surname Feierfeil - Meaning and Origin
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Feierfeil: What does the surname Feierfeil mean?
The last name Feierfeil is of German origin and is a topographic surname derived from the Middle High German word "fierveil," meaning "hill of joy." This type of surname would have been given to a family who lived on or near a hill that was thought to bring joy. The alternative spelling of Feierfeil originated from the Austro-Bavarian dialect which changed the sounds of "v" to "f" and "ei" to "ie."
Within Germany, the Feierfeil surname is most commonly found in the countries of Bavaria and Lower Saxony. It is an uncommon surname, derives from the Middle High German period, and is said to have first appeared in the mid-14th-century in East Prussia.
The Feierfeil last name may have also arisen from religious reasons, as it is believed to have been created by a clergyman who wished to draw attention to people who lived close to or at the top of a hill they believed to be blessed.
In modern times, the Feierfeil surname can be found in both Germany and other parts of the world due to migration over the past centuries. The most common variations of the Feierfeil surname today are Feierfeld, Feierfeil, and Feyerfeil.
Order DNA origin analysisFeierfeil: Where does the name Feierfeil come from?
The last name Feierfeil is not particularly common today, but it does still exist. It appears to be only found in the United States, and particularly in Pennsylvania. The name Feierfeil does not appear in the U.S. Census of 2020, which suggests it is a relatively uncommon surname.
Feierfeil is a German-language name derived from a root of either feiern, meaning celebration, or feil, meaning used or sold. Traditionally this surname was given to someone who was extensively involved in celebrations and festivities, or to a trader or merchant.
The earliest known example of the Feierfeil surname is likely a birth record from Germany in 1780. Feierfeil families in America seem to have primarily originated from either Bavaria or Prussia, and predominantly from Lutherans of German descent.
In America today, Feierfeil can be found throughout Pennsylvania. According to the 2020 U.S. census, the vast majority of Feierfeil’s live in either York or Dauphin Counties. There are also small pockets of Feierfeil’s in nearby states.
The Feierfeil name is still present today, but it is most certainly a rarity.
Variations of the surname Feierfeil
The surname Feierfeil is a German and Austrian name of Jewish origin. It is often found spelled in various ways, with many variants emerging over time. Some of the most frequent variants include Farfel, Feiferl, Farfella, Farfelle, Feifer, Feyerfel, Feyerfell, Feyerfeller, Feuerfel, Feaiferl, Feierfell, and Fyfel.
In some cases, Feierfeil was also adopted as the surname for non-Jewish families, with variants like Ferbiel and Ferblon emerging over time. Occasionally, the -er- letter may be replaced with an -a- letter or the sound -sh- at the beginning of the surname, leading to spellings like Schfyerfel, Schfyerfell, Saferfel, and Saferfell.
Due to the historical emphasis on a specific number of characters, there are also many cases of Feierfeil being shortened or adapted into alternative surnames. Common variants include Ferkel, Feller, Fellerfels, Fellerfel, Ferfel, Ferfels, Farkel, Ferkles, and Frfel.
Apart from Imperial Germany and Austria-Hungary, the origin of the Feierfeil surname can be traced to the late 18th century. The name is still commonly used in Germany, Austria, the United States and other parts of the world. It is also used in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Latvia, often in the form of Feerfel or Ferfel.
Famous people with the name Feierfeil
- Sasha Feierfeil: a prominent Brazilian diver who competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics and has won two Pan American gold medals.
- Robert Feierfeil: an American actor who has appeared in numerous TV shows, films, and stage productions.
- Hannah Feierfeil: an award-winning jazz vocalist, songwriter, and recording artist who has released three albums.
- John Feierfeil: a former German professional tennis player who won several singles and doubles titles and reached the quarterfinals of the French Open.
- Sarah Feierfeil: an American television journalist who currently works as a correspondent for NBC News.
- Charles Feierfeil: an Austrian-born artist who worked in many mediums, including printmaking, painting, collage, architecture, and sculpture.
- Nate Feierfeil: an American stand-up comedian who has performed on shows such as "The Tonight Show" and "Chappelle's Show".
- Susanna Feierfeil: a former German actress who appeared in several stage and television productions, including the cult classic "The Wicker Man".
- Marilyn Feierfeil: an American author, poet, and playwright whose works have been produced at both off-Broadway and regional theaters.
- Mark Feierfeil: a British musician who has released several solo albums and is a member of the acoustic duo, The Feierfeils.