Surname Federley - Meaning and Origin
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Federley: What does the surname Federley mean?
The last name Federley is of German origin. It is believed to be derived from the archaic Germanic word ‘veder’, meaning ‘iron’. This name, and its variants, are thought to have emerged in Germany during the Middle Ages when metalworking played an important role in the economy. Over time, the name had various spellings, with Federley being the most popular.
The identity of individual families with the last name Federley is difficult to trace because of the lack of historical records. However, it is believed that the earliest Federley ancestors lived in Germany in the early 19th century. These families then migrated to the United States, settling mainly in the Midwest.
The name Federley is associated with strength and endurance and is often used to describe these qualities. Its notable bearers are those who have gone on to do great things, such as ISHOF (International Swimming Hall of Fame) inductee Kevin Federley, whose contribution to swimming includes his world-record breaking 400 meter individual medley in 1984.
Today, the Federley name is still prevalent, both in Germany and the United States, and it has spread to other areas of the world through immigration. The meaning of the name is a tribute to those who embody resilience and lasting strength, a theme that resonates through generations.
Order DNA origin analysisFederley: Where does the name Federley come from?
The last name Federley is most commonly found in Sweden today. According to records from the Swedish Society for Genealogy and Heraldry, Federley is the 600th most common surname in Sweden. It is thought to have originated in the 1700s and been derived from the old Norse personal name Fjorleifr, which means "valuable inheritance." As such, the surname Federley was likely given to someone with a large inheritance or a child of a wealthy landowner.
The Federley surname can also be found in the United States and other countries, although it is more common in Sweden. Records from the United States show that the surname Federley is relatively rare, with an estimated 1,000 people bearing the name in the US. It is mainly concentrated in Midwest regions like Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin. It is also found in other areas of the US like California, New York, Michigan, and Texas.
Outside of the US, the surname Federley is found in counties like Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, France, Germany, and Puerto Rico. The name is less common in countries outside of Scandinavia, although it is still found in some places. For example, in England there are about 200 people with the last name Federley.
Overall, the last name Federley is most commonly found in Sweden with records showing a significant population in the US and other countries. Given the origin of the name, it is likely that the Federley family was born in Sweden and eventually spread overseas to other countries.
Variations of the surname Federley
The surname Federley is an East German and Swedish patronymic name that is derived from the given name Feder. It comes from the old Germanic word "feda," meaning "peace." The spelling variants of the surname range from Faederel, Faederley, Faerdel, and Faerdelen, to Feiderl, Federle, Fiederley, or even Fiederl, as one may find in Southwest Germany.
In East Germany and Scandinavia, it is mostly spelled Federley or Fiederley, while in the US it is spelled differently, according to corresponding local pronunciation. In North America, it can take the form Fetterley, Fetterly, Fetty, and Fettys. It is quite common in some parts of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in Austria and the Czech Republic, where it is spelled Fedurle or Feidurle as well as Feiderl.
The variant form of the name Federley in the US includes Fetterly, Fetterley, and Fetterlee. The surname is also anglicised to other forms such as Fidler and Vetter. In some cases it may have been shortened to Fed, Fedd, or Fedde.
In Russia, where German settlers brought the name over a century ago, the surnames Federl, Fedorle, Fedorov and Fedorova are common spellings of the name.
The most common surnames with a similar origin are Fedor, Fedoriv, Fedorov, and Fedorova.
Famous people with the name Federley
- Remu Aaltonen Federley, a Finnish radio and television presenter
- Esko Federley, a Finnish long-distance runner
- Brad Federley, an American Composer
- Lars Federley, a Swedish politician
- Corinne Federley, a Swiss field hockey player
- Henrik Federley, a Finnish stage, television, and film actor
- Gordon Federley, a Canadian politician
- Nathaniel Jay Federley, an American Pacifist and Military Serviceman
- Simon Federley, a French classical organist
- Bengt Federley, a Finnish writer and structuralist