Surname Eschenfelder - Meaning and Origin

Eschenfelder: What does the surname Eschenfelder mean?

The last name Eschenfelder is a German-origin surname derived from the combined phrase "Esche," meaning "ash tree," and "Felder," meaning "fields." It likely denotes a family who owned or lived on an estate filled with ash trees, and the name became common in Germany during the Middle Ages.

The ash tree has a long history of religious and symbolic importance in German culture, with ash trees often planted to honor gods or other figures of reverence. It was also very common as a wood for building and furniture-making. The ash tree is also believed to be a protective plant, capable of protecting those living nearby from lightning strikes and other harm.

These days, Eschenfelder remains a relatively rare surname in Germany, though the occurrence rate is more common in certain parts of the nation such as Bavaria and in the former East German states. People with the Eschenfelder name can also be found in the German diaspora throughout Europe and the New World.

Overall, the Eschenfelder name has a long and even somewhat ancient history as a part of the German cultural lexicon dating back to medieval times. It serves as a reminder of the strong connection between people and the natural environment, and the spiritual and symbolic power of the ash tree.

Eschenfelder: Where does the name Eschenfelder come from?

The last name Eschenfelder is most commonly associated with the area of Germany known as the Sauerland, where it is found in France and Germany, and is in Germany’s Top 1000 family names. It originated in the area of Thuringia in the Middle Ages, and is still popular in small villages and towns in Sauerland today. The meaning of Eschenfelder is “field of ash trees” and many of the villages named Eschenfelden, Eschenfels and Eschelbach can still be found in the Sauerland today.

The Sauerland is located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and is a hilly countryside full of forests and meandering rivers. It is known for its picturesque landscapes and its charming towns and villages. Eschenfelder is one of the area’s oldest surnames, and is still common throughout the entire region.

Eschenfelder is also found in other German states, including Bavaria, Hesse and Baden-Württemberg. It can also be found in the United States, with its immigrants originating from Sauerland Germany, such as a family who founded the city of Olmsted Falls, Ohio in 1826.

Overall, the surname Eschenfelder is still very common in the Sauerland area of Germany, as well as other areas of the country and the world. It is a name of rich German heritage and signifies that one’s ancestors were from a long lineage of those who lived in the Sauerland’s beautiful countryside.

Variations of the surname Eschenfelder

The surname Eschenfelder is of German origin. It is most likely derived from German "esche", meaning "ash" and "felder", meaning "fields" or "meadows". Variants of the Esphenfelder surname include Eschenfelder, Eschenfelder, Eschenfelser, Eshfelder, Eshfeller, and Eschefelder.

Eschenfelder is the most common spelling of the surname, but due to regional dialects and spelling variations, it can also be seen spelled as Eshfelder, Eshfeller, Eschefelder and Eschenfelser.

In Lower Saxony, the name can be found in various forms including Eschenfelder (the most common form of the surname in this area), Eschefeller, Eschenfelser, and Eshfelder.

In the Upper Palatinate, the name is usually seen in its original spelling of Eschenfelder or Eschenfelser (the surnames found in this area were most likely taken from "Eschen-Fels" meaning Hemlock-rock).

In some areas of Bavaria, the eschenfelder surname can also be noted as Eschefeller, Eshfeller, or Eschefelder.

Variations of the surname can also be found in other parts of Europe such as in Austria and Switzerland.

Variations of the Eschenfelder surname exist in the US as well. Some of the most common spellings are Eschenfelder, Eshfelder, Eshfeller, and Eschefelder.

Famous people with the name Eschenfelder

• Martin Eschenfelder (German actor)
• Mike Eschenfelder (American actor and producer)
• Riley Eschenfelder (American actress)
• Edward Eschenfelder (American composer and lecturer)
• Robert Eschenfelder (German writer and producer)
• Andreas Eschenfelder (German physicist and professor)
• Jan Eschenfelder (German artist)
• Stephen Eschenfelder (American lawyer)
• Bianca Eschenfelder (American singer)
• Jochen Eschenfelder (German film director and editor)
• Sarah Eschenfelder (German poet and translator)
• Thomas Eschenfelder (American photographer and illustrator)
• Lawrence Eschenfelder (British poet and essayist)
• Simon Eschenfelder (American actor and musician)
• Joel Eschenfelder (American screenwriter and actor)
• Karina Eschenfelder (German theatre director)
• Margaret Eschenfelder (Australian psychologist and lecturer)

Other surnames

Eschenfeld