Surname Federspiel - Meaning and Origin
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Federspiel: What does the surname Federspiel mean?
The last name Federspiel is derived from the German words 'federn' meaning 'to feather' and 'spiel' meaning 'game / play'. Combining the two words together, Federspiel originates as an occupational surname for someone who plucked feathers from birds, usually for use in making beds, pillows and mattresses.
The name Federspiel is likely to have Germanic-Austrian or Germanic-Swiss origins, as it is most common in that region. Its earliest usage dates back to Medieval German registers, when it was first documented in the 13th century and its spelling variations include Faderspiel and Fiederspiel.
Federspiel is usually associated with Jewish people and it is thought that the geographical origin of the name can be traced to the south-western portion of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. People with the Federspiel surname can also be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
More recently, the surname is also associated with German and Austrian composers. Composer Anton Federspiel wrote several ballets for the Grand Opera of Vienna between the years of 1782 and 1793. The original spelling of composer Richard Federspiel's name was Fiederspiel.
Despite variations in spelling, the original meaning of the surname Federspiel remains unchanged. People with this surname may still be connected to its original meaning by dedicating themselves to preserving the history of the feather business as bird pluckers.
Order DNA origin analysisFederspiel: Where does the name Federspiel come from?
The last name Federspiel is a relatively common last name today, with a large concentration found mostly in Central Europe. It is particularly prevalent in Germany and Austria, with Germanic variants such as Fiedler and Fetter also found throughout the region.
The last name is known to have originated from late Middle High German spil and feinder, which both refer to a game or contest. As such, the name might have indicated a family of professional or semi-professional entertainers or game players during the medieval period.
Today, the last name Federspiel is found around the world, particularly in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, which were all popular areas of immigration for German-speaking people during the 19th and early 20th centuries. A simple internet search reveals thousands of people of this last name in both Germany and the United States.
The surname Federspiel is still carried on by many people today and is often found within the same family line, hinting to its robust history and continued family lineage.
Variations of the surname Federspiel
Federspiel is a surname of Germanic origin, derived from the Germanic terms 'fed(er)', meaning feather, and 'spiel', meaning game. It is believed to have originally been an occupational name for a maker of feather items, such as quill pens.
Variants, spellings and further surnames of the same origin include Federspeil, Fiederspiel, Fetterspeel, Fetterspiel, Fedderspiel, Fedderspeil, Fedderspil, Fedderspul, Fieterspel, Fieterspeel, Fieterspiel, Vederspiel, Vetterspiel and Fuederspiel.
In German, Federspiel is often found in its original spelling. However, variants, such as Flederspiel and Federspiel, as well as alternate spellings, such as Feiterspiele and Vederspiel, can also be found.
Surnames of the same origin are generally languages and cultures other than German. For instance, in French, Federspiel appears as Federspio; while in Spanish, it is found as Fiderspilo. In Dutch, the surname appears mainly as Federspel.
In the United States, the surname is generally found as Fetterspiel, Fedderspiel, Federspiel, Federspeil, and Fiederspiel.
Federspiel is also believed to be an anglicized name from the Jewish surname Földerspiel, which is derived from the Hungarian föld, meaning 'field'. Variants of the Hungarian Földerspiel include Folderspiel, Foldersperl, and Folderspil.
Famous people with the name Federspiel
- Sophie Federspiel, Danish television presenter
- Richard Federspiel, former Vice President of the Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR)
- Alex Federspiel, former U.S. Marine and a Commander of the 181st Armored Regiment during WWII
- Reinhold Federspiel, Austrian botanist
- Stephen Federspiel, American Professional Football player
- Eva Federspiel, Austrian Olympic gymnast
- Ludwig Federspiel, German astronomer
- Johannes Federspiel, Austrian architect
- Anne Festersen Federspiel, Danish sculptor
- Hermann Federspiel, Danish missionary
- John Federspiel, American artist
- Patricia Federspiel, American botanist
- Joseph Federspiel, German painter
- John J. Federspiel, American film and television director
- Gunnar Federspiel, Danish Olympic cyclist
- Andreas Federspiel, Austrian film director
- Aage G. Federspiel, Danish philologist
- William J. Federspiel, American playwright
- Kate Federspiel, American recording artist
- Thomas Federspiel, German politician and state minister