Surname Feind - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'F'
Feind: What does the surname Feind mean?
The last name Feind is of German origin, and is derived from the Middle High German word feind, meaning "enemy". This surname is most commonly found in Germany, and in some regions of Switzerland. It is thought to have been used to describe someone who was hostile or wary of outsiders, or possibly someone who was a mercenary or troublemaker.
The surname can also refer to the German term freund, meaning "friend". This could depict a person who was friendly but often found themselves in arguments or disputes with neighbors or strangers.
In modern times, the Feind surname is found sporadically across Europe, North America, and Australia. It is thought to have been adopted by some individuals - particularly in Germany - during the 19th century, when surnames were becoming mandatory for identification.
What remains true is that the Feind surname is deeply rooted in Germanic times and carries a unique meaning with both negative and positive connotations. Those who carry this name may have an ingrained sense of honour and loyalty, yet also a certain wariness of outsiders.
Order DNA origin analysisFeind: Where does the name Feind come from?
The last name Feind is most commonly found in Germany. The earliest known records of the name first appeared in documents in Prussia in the 12th century. It is believed to have originated from the Middle High German equivalent of 'enemy' or 'foe'. The name is still very much in use today in both German and Austrian-speaking countries, with nearly 37,000 people carrying the last name living in Germany alone. It is not as common elsewhere in the world, but can also be found in small numbers in other European countries including Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark and France. Outside of Europe, Feind can be found in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, where it is usually of German or Alpine Swiss origin. It can also be found in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Brazil, and India.
Variations of the surname Feind
The surname Feind is believed to have various regional variants, spellings, and surnames that all have the same origin. In Germany, it is most commonly spelled “Feind”, which means “enemy” in German.
Other variants and spellings of this surname include Feende, Feynte, Feynde, Fender, Feinder, Veynden, Veinde, and Fine. These can often be found in historical records and census documents.
The variants of the surname Feind can also be found throughout Europe. In the Netherlands, the surname is spelled “Feynde” or “Veinde”, while in Poland it is spelled “Feynde” or “Fender”. In Austria, it is common to find it spelled “Feind” as well.
Finally, surnames related to the Feind family are also common throughout Europe. In Germany, these surnames include Feindel, Finder, and Fenden, while in the Netherlands they include Veinder, Feyder, and Veynder. In Poland, the surnames Fenda, Fennda, and Falenda have all been associated with the Feind surname.
While the Feind surname is not exactly common, there are still many variants, spellings, and related surnames that exist around the world, making it possible to trace different branches of the same family tree.
Famous people with the name Feind
- Felix Feind: German footballer who plays as a midfielder for fourth division club SV Matterburg.
- Karla Feind: Austrian tennis player who won the Austrian national championship in 1950.
- Dario Feind: German-Austrian actor known for his roles in Die Buddenbrooks (1929) and U-2 (1943).
- Johannes Feind: German mathematician, professor at the University of Bonn, and member of the French Académie des Sciences.
- Robert Feind: Austrian screenwriter and film producer credited with over 60 feature films, including Sissi (1955).
- Paul Feind: German WWII lieutenant who served in the Brandenburg regiment of the Wehrmacht and was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Thomas Feind: German artist and sculptor best known for his portraits of monarchs, especially the busts of Emperor Wilhelm II and Empress Augusta Victoria.
- Manfred Feind: Austrian philologist and mythological scholar who published works on Indo-European linguistics and folkloric studies.
- Berthold Feind: German botanist who helped establish the field of systematic botany and wrote several treatises including the Handbook of Plant Systematics.
- Andrea Feind: German musician, singer and composer whose film music has been used in numerous soundtracks.