Surname Niefeldt - Meaning and Origin

Niefeldt: What does the surname Niefeldt mean?

The last name Niefeldt is of German origin and means “from the field of the new one”. The name is probably derived from a personal nickname given to someone who was the first of the family to own a particular field.

The term “Niefeldt” is comprised of two elements - “Nie” which means new, and “Feldt” which means field. These elements may have both geographical and familial applications. Geographically, it could refer to any new fields that were acquired by a family, while familially it could refer to a firstborn child who was given ownership of a field from their family.

The surname Niefeldt first appeared in the Hessian region of Central Europe during the late medieval period. Over the centuries, the surname has spread across much of the German-speaking world, with significant numbers of people bearing the name found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and elsewhere.

In some cases, the name Niefeldt has crossed linguistic boundaries, with variants such as Nievelt, Nivald, and Nivette found in The Netherlands, as well as parts of France and Belgium. The English spelling of the name can also be Neefield and Neefelt.

Regardless of the exact meaning, the last name Niefeldt has a rich history reaching back centuries. Its significance can be found in the geographical and familial aspects that it embodies, and it is a testament to the many families that have borne this surname over time.

Niefeldt: Where does the name Niefeldt come from?

The last name Niefeldt is most commonly found in Germany. The name dates back to the 1400s when it was initially recorded in the area of Schleswig-Holstein in Northern Germany. It is a German occupational name that was likely adopted by a person who worked in a field as a farmer or laborer. It is also possible that the name was adopted by someone who worked in a particular trade such as blacksmithing.

Niefeldt is now a common surname throughout Germany, and it continues to be popular in some of the areas where it was first recorded centuries ago. It is most likely to be found in Northern Germany, particularly in Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony. It is also quite prevalent in the city of Berlin, which has many recent immigrants from other German-speaking regions.

Further afield, the last name Niefeldt can be found in other countries with strong German and Central European communities. It is especially common in the United States, Australia, Canada, and other countries with large numbers of German-speaking immigrants, as well as countries such as Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay that received many immigrants from Germany in the 19th century.

Overall, the Niefeldt surname can be found in various countries around the world due to the global reach of German culture. It remains most prevalent in Germany and other parts of Central Europe, but observant genealogists may also be able to track down this name in other places around the world.

Variations of the surname Niefeldt

The surname Niefeldt is a German-language surname, originating from a combination of two German words, ‘Nie’ meaning ‘never’ or ‘no’ and ‘feldt’ meaning ‘field.’ It likely originated as a toponymic name in reference to a field where nothing grows, or a field boundary.

Variations of the Niefeldt surname include Neufeld, Neufeldt, Niefield, Niefeldt, Nivfeld, Nivfield, Nivfelder, Nivfeldt, Neifield, Neifelt, Neefeld, Niefeld, Neved, Nevedt, Niepelt and Neivelt. Other variations may also exist.

In Germany, Neufeld is a more common spelling for the surname and Niefeldt is the more common spelling in North America.

The surname can also have multiple spellings depending on the language and region of the speaker. For example, in parts of Prussia it was spelled as "Neifeldt," while in parts of Bavaria it was spelled as "Niefeld."

The surnames Neufeld, Niefeld and Neifeld are all derivatives of the surname "Niefeldt". Spelling of the surname can vary depending on spoken language and dialect as well, such as the forms "Nievell" or "Nieval" used in parts of Switzerland.

As Niefeldt is an old surname, it is not commonly found outside of the German-speaking areas of the world, though its spelling variations are more widespread.

Famous people with the name Niefeldt

• Josh Niefeldt: semi-professional basketball player and tri-athlete from Germany
• Nathan Niefeldt: professional snowboarder from Canada
• Bret Niefeldt: former minor league pitcher who played for the White Sox, Tigers, and Rays from 2004-2006
• Kevin Niefeldt: former CEO of Avon Products and now executive at Credit Suisse
• Kurt Niefeldt: German actor best known for his portrayal of Sheriff Alberto in the TV series "Der Landarzt"
• Tyler Niefeldt: retired Canadian professional ice hockey player
• David Niefeldt: former NFL quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins
• David Niefeldt: professor of sociology at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa
• Ben Niefeldt: German-American singer/songwriter
• Mette Niefeldt: Danish figure skater and World Junior Champion in 2013

Other surnames

Niefeld