Surname Lohfeld - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Lohfeld: What does the surname Lohfeld mean?
The last name Lohfeld is of German origin, with the first part, “Loh”, derived from a German word meaning “grove” and the second part, “feld”, meaning “field”. It is likely that those bearing this last name originally came from areas in Germany where groves were commonly found and, in fact, the Lohfeld surname is associated with the northern German states of Mecklenburg and Brandenburg.
In the old German words, “Loh” means “woods” while “feld” means “open area” so it is not surprising that this surname was likely taken from a place of refuge in the midst of woodland. It could even have been the name of an area of countryside where some German families had their home and they eventually saw fit to adopt this as their surname.
The notion of refuge or safety is often an associated with this surname. For example, in the 1930s, the Lohfeld family from Mecklenburg made the difficult decision to leave Germany for the United States to escape persecution for their religious beliefs.
The Lohfeld surname also appears in some other countries, especially in Eastern Europe. This could be due to migration of people bearing this name or it may also be a coincidence that similar sounding surnames arose in both Germany and other countries.
The Lohfeld surname has been associated with many successful people over the years, from scientists to authors, so the legacy of this surname has been a significant one. Those who bear the name of Lohfeld today can be proud of their heritage and can connect to their German roots to learn more about their past.
Order DNA origin analysisLohfeld: Where does the name Lohfeld come from?
The last name Lohfeld is most commonly found in Germany. It is believed to have originated in the Mosel Valley region, which is located in the western part of the country, located between the Rhine and Mosel Rivers. The earliest known record of the Lohfeld surname dates back to the year 1348, when an individual by the name of Fridericus Loffelden was noted in the village of Kyllburg. It is also thought that the Germanic name 'Loffe' may have evolved into the surname 'Lohfeld'.
Today, the surname Lohfeld is most common in the German states of Lower Saxony, Hesse, and Thuringia. The Lohfeld family is one of the oldest noble family lines in Germany, and they can trace their lineage back to the Middle Ages.
In the United States, the surname is more rare, but individuals with the last name Lohfeld are still present. The most common states in which the surname is found are California, New York, Michigan, and Florida. There are also individuals living in Canada, Australia, the UK, and other countries throughout the world with this surname.
The surname 'Lohfeld' is just over 700 years old, and it continues to resonate with individuals throughout the world to this day.
Variations of the surname Lohfeld
The surname Lohfeld is believed to have originated in northern Germany. It is known to have many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include: Lohfel, Lohfels, Laufel, Laufels, Laufeld, Lanfeld, Lönfeld, Löhfeld, Löhfel, Löhfels, Löffel, Löffels, Loffel, Loffels, Loofel, and Loefel.
Lohfeld derived from the German words ‘loh’ and ‘feld’. ‘Loh’ lilterally translates to “clearing in the woods, meadow” while ‘feld’ translates to “field.” Thus, the literal translation of the surname is “field in the meadow.”
Lohfeld is found across Germany in many different variations. Other spellings include Loehfel, Lohfel, Loehfeld, Lawfeld, Lanfeld, Lowfeld, and Lapfeld. Each of these spellings has its own unique origin story.
In some cases, the spellings of the same surname are slightly different due to the variations in local dialects. For example, the spelling Lawfeld may derive from an East Frisian dialect whereas Loehfel may originate from a South German dialect.
In addition, the surname may have derived from the surname Loeffel, which originates from the Middle Dutch word “loeffe.” This word appears to refer to a metal or wooden instrument.
Lohfeld may also have derived from the Germanic personal names Laurence, Lansman, and Ludwig. In some cases, the surname may have been combined with other existing Germanic names such as Lambert, Lantwin, or Leopold.
Finally, the origins of the surname may also be linked to surnames with similar pronunciations, such as Loovild, Leovild, or Lübeld.
Famous people with the name Lohfeld
- Hans Lohfeld: a German politician who served as a member of the European Parliament, and was a member and president of the Centre Party in the 1930s
- Pietro Paolo Lohfeld: an Italian dancer, actor and choreographer
- Punk Lohfeld: a Canadian rock musician
- Bianca Lohfeld: a Swedish opera singer and actress
- Kálmán Lohfeld: a Hungarian painter and sculptor of the late 19th century
- Rüdiger Lohfeld: a German-born sociologist, psychologist and philosopher
- Norman Lohfeld: an American broadcast radio and TV director
- Wilhelm Lohfeld: a German actor and director
- Ulf Lohfeld: a Swiss football player
- Marcel Lohvelt: a German-born musician, instrument maker and craftsman