Surname Runfelt - Meaning and Origin

Runfelt: What does the surname Runfelt mean?

The last name Runfelt is derived from Old Norse origins and is found in many Scandinavian countries. It is believed to have been a habitational name, derived from a place name.

Runfelt is a combination of the words Rune meaning ‘one who wears a magical sign’ and felt which has many meanings, including ‘fur’ and ‘shield’. Alternatively Runfelt may be derived from the Old English elements 'hrun' meaning ‘a hovel’ or ‘hut’ and 'felt' as described above. This would suggest the surname may have been given to the family of someone who lived near a shelter or hut.

Due to its origins, the Runfelt surname is common in Scandinavia and is found in countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Norway. It is also sometimes seen in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and even the United Kingdom.

The Runfelt coat of arms, or heraldic arms, features a silver and blue chevron on a red shield and includes two silver bars. This shield is commonly seen on Runfelts in Europe and is a way of distinguishing the family.

Runfelt: Where does the name Runfelt come from?

The last name Runfelt is most commonly found in the United States and parts of Europe, primarily in the United Kingdom. It is believed to have originated in Norway, which is why it is also found in Scandinavian countries such as Finland, Iceland, and Sweden.

It is most frequently seen in Northern Europe, particularly in England, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as in small pockets in Germany. According to records, the Runfelt family in Sweden can trace its lineage back to the 17th century when they settled in Göteborg.

Within the United States, Runfelt can be found in almost every state. It is most heavily concentrated in Texas, followed by California, Washington, and Florida. Other states with a notable influx of Runfelts include Illinois, New York, Ohio, Arizona, and North Carolina.

The largest population of Runfelts in the world can be found in the United States, making it the most racially and culturally diverse country for the surname. In the US, it is most often spelled as Runfeldt or Runfelt, with the former spelling being the most popular.

The Runfelt surname has also been known to be found in Australia, Canada, Russia, India, and even in some small parts of East Asia. Throughout its centuries-long history, Runfelt has had a wide and disparate reach, having been passed down to many new countries and regions through the generations.

Variations of the surname Runfelt

The surname Runfelt is an uncommon one with a few variants in use today. It is an old Scandinavian name with roots in the Middle Ages. The variations of the name include Runfelt, Runfalt, Runfelti, and Ranfalt. These have all come from the Old Norse “Ruunfalt”.

In its original spelling, Ruunfalt, as a personal name, it was derived from the elements ruun, meaning "righteous" or "run", and falt meaning "victory". Combined, the meaning of the name is interpreted as "Victorious". It is likely that Runfelt gained its popularity during the North Germanic Migration period of the 12th and 13th centuries.

Runfelt can be a surname, or it can have additional spellings and variants. For example, Runfalt or Runfelti can be used. Ranfalt is another variant spelling, which is derived from the German spelling of the same surname.

A common mistake is to incorrectly spell the name as Runfeld. This is not a variant of the Runfelt name. Instead, Runfeld is a variant of the German surname Runfels. This German surname is derived from the Middle High German words run, meaning "smooth", and felse meaning "field", and translates to "smooth field", which was probably used to describe a certain town or village.

Overall, the surname Runfelt has a few variants, including Runfelti, Runfalt, Ranfalt, and Runfeld. The oldest variant, Ruunfalt, is derived from Scandinavia and holds a meaning of "Victorious".

Famous people with the name Runfelt

• Erik Runfelt: Swedish actor and theater director who acted in the 1944 Swedish classical film Summer with Monika.
• Henning Runfelt: Swedish actor known for his role in the American drama film Sune vs Sune in 2003.
• Ulla Runfelt: Swedish actress known for her roles in the films Return to Matyora (1978) and Satan's Children (1975).
• Karin Runfelt: Swedish actress known for her roles in the films Dagmar's Daughter (1946) and Jumbo (1958).
• Marie Runfelt: Swedish actress known for her roles in films such as Åsa-Nisseparet (1946) and Ljuset från Lund (1959).
• Magnus Runfelt: Swedish actor who worked mainly in the theater, but also appeared in films such as 47:an Karlsson (1947) and The Flying Classroom (1974).
• Mattias Runfelt: Swedish actor known for his appearances in films such as Appelsinpiken (1949) and Eva: Den utstötta (1959).
• Airi Runfelt: Finnish actress and musician known for her roles in films such as Magic Forest (2004) and Lord of the Runes (2007).
• Heikki Runfelt: Finnish actor and playwright known for his roles in films such as Return to Matyora (1978) and In the Beginning of the Century (1994).
• Maria Runfelt: Swedish actress known for her roles in films such as Barnen från Frostmofjället (1961) and Bonnys vinterträdgård (1969).

Other surnames

Runfeldt