Surname Doerfel - Meaning and Origin
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Doerfel: What does the surname Doerfel mean?
The last name Doerfel is derived from the German words “torf” meaning peat moss, and “felle” meaning hide or skin. It is a combination of two older German surnames, "Doerf" and "Felle". In the 1200s, Doerf was a common occupational name for someone involved in the peat moss harvesting and processing industry. Meanwhile, Felle was an occupational name for someone who made and sold leather goods.
The two terms were combined to create the surname Doerfel. This surname was most commonly found in Prussia, particularly in areas around Berlin and its surrounding towns. Today, many members of the Doerfel family can still be found in Germany, as well as in other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland. In the United States, the Doerfel surname can be found in states including Pennsylvania, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
The Doerfel family is comprised of hard-working, resilient people, and those carrying the name are known for their tireless commitment to their craft. They have a strong sense of pride in their family lineage and are proud of their roots as well as their accomplishments. Those with the Doerfel name have a strong work ethic and are known for their attention to detail and quality in whatever they do. The name Doerfel is one that promises loyalty and perseverance.
Order DNA origin analysisDoerfel: Where does the name Doerfel come from?
The last name Doerfel is most commonly found in Germany and other parts of central Europe. It is also found in some English speaking countries, primarily in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In Germany and other parts of Central Europe, the name Doerfel is very common. In places like Germany, Saxony, and the Czech Republic, the name Doerfel is one of the most commonly occurring surnames and can be found in both rural and urban areas. The name is derived from the words “Dorf” meaning village, and “Fell” meaning skin or hide, likely referring to the occupation of tanning hides.
In the United States, the name Doerfel is found in certain immigrant German communities, such as the Pennsylvania Dutch and Swiss. In the 2010 US Census, it was found that around 800 people bore the last name Doerfel.
The name Doerfel can also be found in Canada and Australia, primarily due to the English-speaking countries’ immigration policies, which have allowed for German immigrants to find a new home in places like Canada and Australia. In the 2016 census in Canada, it was found that there were 1,111 people named Doerfel. Australia has a smaller number of people with the name Doerfel, with 310 people recorded in the 2017 census.
In conclusion, the last name Doerfel is most commonly found in Germany, other parts of Central Europe, and certain English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to their immigration policies.
Variations of the surname Doerfel
The surname Doerfel has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The different spellings of the surname Doerfel are: Doerffel, Dorffel, Dörffel, Doerffel, Dorfel, Durffel, Dürrfel, Dorfel, Doarfel, Dyarfel, Doerfel, Dörrfel, and Dürrfel.
The surnames of the same origin have different spellings due to regional customs, pronunciations, and language usage. Some of these names originated as a variation of the spelling of the surname "Doerffel," due to the similar sound of the two words, while others derived from the old German language.
The Doerfel surname often appears with a German territorial designation such as “von Dörfel” or “von Doerfel.” The “von” prefix indicates that the individual is from a specific area. The German equivalent of “von” is “von Dörfel” and the Austrian equivalent is “vom Dörfel.”
In addition to the Doerffel spelling, there are several other surnames with a similar origin, such as “Dorrfel,” “Dörferl,” “Durferl,” “Dürffel,” and “Dörfel.” These surnames are different variations of the same name and their spellings also vary depending on the location they originated from.
The surname “Doerfel” can also be found in some Jewish communities as “Döfler.” This variation likely came about due to the practice of Ashkenazi Jews changing their surnames to appear less “German.” The surname “Döfler” is a direct translation of the surname “Doerfel” and is still in use today.
Overall, the surname Doerfel has many variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The common thread amongst all of these names is the ancient German origin of the name. Different spellings formed over the years due to regional customs and language usage, while some names saw a change after the influx of Jewish immigrants to some countries.
Famous people with the name Doerfel
- Thomas Doerfel: renowned German actor known for roles in films such as Runaway Train, European Vacation, and The Neverending Story.
- Anna Doerfel: model with appearances on covers of Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar.
- Parker Doerfel: voice actor known for his roles in video games including Dark Souls, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
- Ernst Doerfel: German architect known for his Gothic Revival designs of churches and public buildings, as well as his works in classicism.
- Eric Doerfel: American musician and composer best known for producing music for the performance events of Cirque du Soleil.
- David Doerfel: German soccer player of the National Soccer League and the German Bundesliga, widely considered to be one of the best all-time goalkeepers for the country.
- Gregory Doerfel: former NASA astronaut, member of the Apollo Program, and leader of four space shuttle missions.
- Jakob Doerfel: German playwright and poet, co-founder of the avant-garde literary group Die Schule der Neuen Welt, and influential in modernist literary works.
- Kelly Doerfel: American artist/illustrator featured in galleries and featured in numerous publications for her painting of modern, pop-influenced abstracts.
- Robert Doerfel: renowned German classical pianist, recording artist, and professor of music at the University of Bayreuth. He also founded the amateur orchestra Musikvereinball in Bayreuth.