Surname Neufeld - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: An Emotive Journey through Ancestry and the Significance of the Surname Neufeld

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery with iGENEA, I uncovered the hidden depths marked within my DNA and the significance of my surname, Neufeld. This exciting process introduced me to the complexities of my ancestry and created a profound connection with my familial past.

P. Neufeld

Neufeld: What does the surname Neufeld mean?

Neufeld is a surname of German origin that translates to "new field" in English. The name is likely topographic, given to families that resided near a newly cleared field or an agricultural field. The name suggests an association with farming, highlighting the profession of the initial bearers of this surname. Instances of the surname Neufeld can be found in several regions, including the USA, Germany, and Canada. Notably, it's also common among the Mennonite communities, with references dating back to the 16th century. Remember that the meaning of a surname doesn’t provide insights into the socioeconomic state, character, or ancestry of an individual bearing it today.

Neufeld: Where does the name Neufeld come from?

The last name Neufeld is quite common in many countries today, particularly those of German descent. It can be found, for example, in the United States, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, South Africa, and parts of Australia and New Zealand.

In the United States, Neufeld is especially common in states with large populations of German-Americans, such as North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas. In Canada, Neufeld is most abundant in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with Ontario also having a significant population of Neufelds. In Germany, the Neufeld surname is fairly common in the historic German region of Prussia, as well as in the northern states of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.

The Neufeld name is also popular among Hungarian and Slovakian immigrants to the United States and Canada. In Austria, it is mostly concentrated in the southeastern provinces of Carinthia and Styria. In South Africa, the Neufeld population is largely concentrated in the cities of Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria.

Overall, the Neufeld surname is quite widely spread, with significant Neufeld populations around the world and numerous variants of the name, such as Neufelt, Neuföld, and Neufeldt. This indicates that the Neufeld name has a long and interesting history, stretching back many centuries.

Variations of the surname Neufeld

The Neufeld surname is of German and Jewish origin but can also be found throughout Europe. Major variants of Neufeld include Neu-feld, Neuvel, Nuefeld, Nuevelt, Neuhäuser, Neuf, Neuhaus, Neufert, and Neifert.

In German, the Neufeld surname translates to ‘new field’, indicating a family's lineage from a place that was formerly farmland. It is also said to derive from the noun ‘neu’, meaning ‘new’, and the suffix ‘-feld’, meaning ‘field’.

In Jewish culture, the Neufeld surname began as a place-name and is derived from either the Yiddish ‘nehfehl’, meaning ‘new field’, or the Hebrew ‘nehfehl’, meaning ‘neighborhood’.

In the United States, the Neufeld surname can also be found as Newfield, Newfeld, Nufeld, Nifield, Nufield, Newfelt, Newfel, Nofield, Nefield, Neifield, Neefield, and Neffield.

Neufeld may also appear as a hyphenated version of other surnames such as Neu-Fisch, Neu-Herz, Neu-Berger, Neu-Hess, Neu-Wald, and Neu-Kaiser.

In Europe, numerous alternative spellings of Neufeld are also found, including Naeferred, Nafrard, Naford, Napard, Nefard, Nevford, and Noefered.

The Neufeld surname is quite widespread throughout Europe and the United States, with numerous variants and spellings. It has German, Jewish, and American origins, and its meaning ‘new field’ or ‘neighborhood’ carries both spiritual and historical connotations.

Famous people with the name Neufeld

• Jason Neufeld: Professional American soccer player currently playing in the Major Soccer League for Atlanta United.
• Ryan Neufeld: Canadian cross-country ski racer who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Eric Neufeld: Canadian actor and playwright, best known for his roles in films such as Saw IV and Practical Magic.
• Amanda Neufeld: Canadian contemporary dancer and choreographer. She has performed in various television shows, music videos, and stage productions.
• Marcus Neufeld: Canadian television writer, actor, director and producer. He created the show The Newsroom, which aired on CBC from 2012-2013.
• Rachel Neufeld: Canadian award-winning journalist, author and public speaker.
• Mark Neufeld: Canadian music producer, mixing engineer, and multi-instrumentalist. He has worked with artists such as Arcade Fire and Tom Petty.
• David Neufeld: Canadian ice hockey player who played in the Eastern Hockey League from 1977-1982.
• Bryan Neufeld: Canadian professional bass guitarist, currently playing with the band Nickelback.
• Gavin Neufeld: Canadian film director, who directed the award-winning feature film The Rainbow Kid.

Other surnames

NeufeindNeufelderNeufeldt