Surname Winterfeld - Meaning and Origin

Winterfeld: What does the surname Winterfeld mean?

The last name Winterfeld is a German surname that may have originated as a nickname or topographical name to describe someone who lived near a field or area covered by snow during the winter. Alternatively, the name may have referenced someone who was born during the winter months.

The word winter comes from the Middle High German wintir and Old English winter. It is derived from the Indo-European root ‘wend’ which means ‘white’ and feld is a combination of Old English feld and Old High German feld, both of which mean ‘open land or plain’. The literal meaning of the name Winterfeld is thus ‘white field’.

The name first appeared in written records in the 13th century and variants of the name include Wintersfeld, Wintersveldt and Wintresfield. Several generations of Winterfelds lived in the Alsace region of France before settling in various locations in the United States and elsewhere.

It is believed that the name Winterfeld is uncommon in other countries outside of Europe. This could be due to its German origin or the fact that its literal meaning – white field – may not accurately reflect the current usage of the name. Nonetheless, the Winterfeld name continues to have a presence throughout the world in many diverse cultures.

Winterfeld: Where does the name Winterfeld come from?

The last name Winterfeld is most common in German-speaking regions today. According to WorldNames PublicProfiler, it is most frequently found in Germany, particularly in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg. The last name is also fairly common in Austria, where it primarily appears in the east. Additionally, Winterfeld is present in the Netherlands, primarily in the northern province of Drenthe.

In the United States, Winterfeld is not as common; according to records from the US Census Bureau, it only appears in a handful of states. California, Massachusetts and New York have seen the most Winterfeld households, though the last name has appeared in at least six other states – Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, New Jersey, South Dakota and Washington.

The last name Winterfeld appears to have Germanic origins, and has been in use since at least the 13th century; it may have derived from the old German words "winen," meaning "field," and "feld," meaning "field." A variety of coats of arms bearing the last name Winterfeld are recorded in the Rietstap Armorial General, as far back as 15th century Germany.

Variations of the surname Winterfeld

The surname Winterfeld has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Winterfield, Wintfield, Windfield, Van Winterfeld, Vintherfeld, Wientfeld, Van Winterville, Wintonfield, Wuntfeld, Von Winterfeld and Vinterfel.

Winterfeld is an old Germanic surname, deriving from the Middle High German words 'winter' and 'velde', meaning 'field of winter'. This can be interpreted in several ways, but the most likely explanation is that the name refers to a field which was traditionally harvested in the winter months.

In the Netherlands, a great many families bearing the surname Winterfeld have the prefix 'Van' or 'Von', indicating that they originated from a particular place or region, or were descended from a person with the surname Winterfeld. Elsewhere in Germany, the spelling 'Vintherfeld' is common.

In the UK, a variant of the Winterfeld family name is 'Wintfield'. This is believed to have originated in South West England, and most likely derived from the Old English 'wintre' and 'feld', meaning 'winter field'.

In the United States, the spelling 'Wintfield' continues to be used, alongside variations such as 'Windfield' and 'Wintonfield'. There is also a recorded usage of the surname Wuntfeld, believed to have originated in New York City.

Overall, the Winterfeld surname is common throughout the German-speaking world and its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin can be found throughout Europe, North America and beyond.

Famous people with the name Winterfeld

• Isabella Winterfeld: Isabella is an actress, best known for roles in movies such as "The Fault in Our Stars" and the TV series "The Americans".
• Kurt Winterfeld: Kurt is a German lawyer who is a member of the Free Democratic Party.
• Hendrik Winterfeld: Hendrik is an Austrian photographer. He is a frequent contributor to leading magazines such as Vogue, Dazed & Confused, Harper's Bazaar and many more.
• Alexander Winterfeld: Alexander is a German actor, musician and composer. He is known for his roles in movies such as "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" and TV series such as "Moloch".
• Maximilian Winterfeld: Maximilian is a German artist, sculptor and painter. He is best known for his surreal sculptures and paintings, which have been presented in exhibitions around the world.
• Franz Winterfeld: Franz is an Austrian journalist and talk show host. He is best known for hosting the talk show "Welcome Vienna", which is broadcast on ORF.
• Karl Winterfeld: Karl is a German politician who served as the Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection of Germany.
• Will Winterfeld: Will is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his roles in "The Office" and "Saturday Night Live".
• Ben Winterfeld: Ben is an Australian actor. He is best known for his roles in popular films such as "The Matrix" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King".
• Eva Winterfeld: Eva is an Austrian singer and songwriter. She is best known for her popular songs such as "Wild Hearts" and "Hear My Voice".

Other surnames

Winterfeldt