Surname Runnfeldt - Meaning and Origin
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Runnfeldt: What does the surname Runnfeldt mean?
Runnfeldt is a Scandinavian “patronymic” surname derived from the personal name Runnulf, which is composed of the Proto-Norse elements "run" meaning “secret” or “mystery", and "ulf", which translates to “wolf.” Thus, Runnfeldt can be translated to mean “secret wolf”.
This type of surname was adopted in the 9th century and was a common practice among the Nordic countries to distinguish individuals with the same given name. Runnfeldt is one of the most common variations of Runnulf as Runnulf is a personal name that was popular in the Viking era, from the 8th century to the 11th century.
The Runnfeldt surname is associated with the Scandinavian people of Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. Records show that the most common modern occurrences of the Runnfeldt surname are in the US and in Sweden.
The Runnfeldt name brings to mind strength, daring, and a willingness to achieve personal triumph against the odds, representing a distinguishing symbol of Viking heritage and strength. It is a meaningful and honorable name that spans centuries and is sure to continue to be passed down through generations in diverse cultural settings.
Order DNA origin analysisRunnfeldt: Where does the name Runnfeldt come from?
The last name Runnfeldt is most commonly found today in the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland as well as in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and surrounding areas. It is believed to have originated in Sweden and Norway and is thought to mean 'running field.'
In Germany, Runnfeldt is found mainly in the northern parts of the country near the Scandinavian border. In Sweden, Runnfeldt is also spelled Runfeldt, and the highest concentration of members of this family name is in the counties of Dalarna and Gävleborg.
In Finland, Runnfeldt is most common in the southwestern part of the country, especially in the city of Turku. The variant spelling 'Runefelt' is also found in Finland, mainly in the east near the Russian border.
Rogue Runnfeldts have spread to the United States in recent years, with family members having settled in Ohio, Massachusetts, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The surname is not nearly as common in the UK, but small numbers of families with this last name can be found in northern England, especially Yorkshire.
Runnfeldt is an uncommon name, but its presence in Scandinavia and the neighbouring countries ensures that its members will never be too far apart.
Variations of the surname Runnfeldt
The surname Runnfeldt has several variants and surnames that may be derived from it. The main spelling of the surname is Runnfeldt, but it can also be seen spelled as Runeldt, Runnfeit, Runfait, Runnfate, Rinfeldt, Runfeldt, Runefelt, and Runfeld. Other surnames that are thought to have derived from the Runnfeldt spelling include Runnfalt, Runnfaltz, Runnefelt, Runnfelt, Runfeld, Runfelde, Runfele, and Ronfeldt.
The Runnfeldt surname is believed to have come from an Old Norse word that means 'running field'. The Old Norse root word 'runn' translates roughly to 'the flow of water' or 'a swift stream' and 'feld' is an Old German term that means 'field'. Together, this phrase alludes to a field near a flowing stream, a certainly likely scenario in the past when the surname was established.
The surname can be traced back to regions in Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium. The earliest recorded spelling of the surname in Germany was found in the family of Heinrich Runnfeldt in 1450 from the city of Holtrup. Later, documents from the Rhode Island Historical Society found mention of the surname dating back to 1672 in Middletown, Rhode Island. The Lessig family of Germany in 1720 also showed use of the name.
The Runnfeldt spelling has been altered throughout the years, but many of the related surnames continue to carry old Norse and Germanic roots. It is likely that the early origins of the name make it quite old and traceable, setting it apart from other surnames.
Famous people with the name Runnfeldt
- Majlis Runnfeldt: Swedish actress
- Eloise Runnfeldt: British author
- Alexander Runnfeldt: Swedish actor
- Michael Runnfledt: German footballer
- Andrea Runnfeldt: Danish freedom fighter
- Fredrick Runnfeldt: Swedish director
- Henrik Runnfeldt: Danish record producer
- Emma Runnfeldt: Norwegian singer
- Olof Runnfeldt: Swedish novelist
- Magnus Runnfeldt: Swedish entrepreneur
- Johan Runnfeldt: Swedish writer
- Josefin Runnfeldt: Swedish ambassador
- Signe Runnfledt: Danish writer
- Elisabeth Runnfeldt: Italian painter
- Sandra Runnfeldt: German film producer
- Margareta Runnfeldt: Swedish engineer
- Leslie Runnfeldt: American actress
- Jacob Runnfeldt: Dutch lawyer
- Karin Runnfeldt: Finnish physicist
- Stig Runnfeldt: Swedish diplomat