Surname Feinler - Meaning and Origin
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Feinler: What does the surname Feinler mean?
The last name Feinler is a Germanic name that was likely derived from the Latin word finis, which means “end.” The name has been used to refer to individuals with associations to endings or conclusions. For instance, the name may have been used to describe someone with a legal profession as an executor or notary public. Alternatively, the Feinler surname could have been assigned to an individual engaged in business activities, such as a trader, or someone involved in agricultural endeavors who was responsible for final tasks, such as taking care of threshing or storing of grain.
The Feinler surname began to appear in German-speaking countries during the Middle Ages. Since then, it has spread throughout the world, with numerous variants in use. While some have adopted it as their primary name, others may have taken it on as a middle name, to show respect for ancestral connections or to honor the deceased.
The Feinler surname continues to be used across the world today. For example, it is especially common in Germany, as well as the United States and Israel. There are various notable people that bear the surname, including systems programming pioneer, the late Bob Feinler; renowned fertility specialist Dr. Guy Feinler; and cobra venom immunologist and herpetologist Dr. Daniel Feinler.
Though the Feinler name is ancient, it still carries an air of modernity, strength, and respect for one’s family roots. The significance of the Feinler name has endured for centuries, and it is a source of pride for many people who carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisFeinler: Where does the name Feinler come from?
The last name Feinler is most common today in the United States, with over 6,000 people carrying the name. Though it is fairly uncommon, the name has German roots and has been around since at least the 1700s. It is most commonly found in places like Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and New Jersey.
In recent years, there has been a significant uptick in Feinler families in the western United States, including in California, Washington, and Oregon. While most of the descendants of immigrants from the 1800s and earlier remain in their hometowns, a recent influx of Feinlers from other cultures and countries has helped to expand the Feinler family's reach over the entire United States.
There is also evidence of Feinler families in other parts of the world, including in England, Germany, and Australia. We may never know the full extent of the Feinler family's reach, but one thing can be sure, the Feinler name continues to spread!
Variations of the surname Feinler
Feinler is a rare German surname with several variants, spellings, and even surnames of the same origin. The most common variants include Feyhner, Feyhnern, Fainer, and Fainerne. According to the last name database, Feinler appears to have derived from the Middle High German surnames Fehnern, meaning a farmer or peasant.
The spelling Feinler itself is thought to derive from the Middle High German word fein, meaning fair or attractive, combined with the suffix ler, which is an agent suffix, indicating Feinler’s ancestor was either a beautiful person or had a handsome occupation.
Variants of the Feinler surname include Fainer, Fainner, Fayner, Feyhner, Feyhnern, Feinlar, and Feyhnere. Similarly, surnames that may be related to the Feinler family include Faynoole, Fenner, Finer, and Feyhle. Some of these words or surnames may have also derived from other sources, but they share a general similarity in origin with Feinler.
Feinler has seen some regional variation as well. For instance, in some regions it may be found as Fuliner, and in others as Finerle. The surname Feinler has also been found to be interchangeable in some cases with Feinlar.
The Feinler name is generally thought to be an occupational surname denoting an ancestor who worked in the beauty industry or was otherwise "fair or attractive." The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin suggest that this profession was likely held in high esteem within the Feinler family.
Famous people with the name Feinler
- Emily Feinler: American entrepreneur, tech investor, and venture capitalist.
- Eliot Feinler: American computer scientist best known for his work at ARPA in developing the ARPANet.
- Siobahn Feinler: Irish actress, producer, and artist best known for her roles in The Departed and The Fantastic Four.
- Keren Feinler: Israeli entrepreneur and tech innovator who founded the travel website, Good Trip.
- Aaron Feinler: American composer and musician known for his work scoring feature films, television shows, and computer games such as Myst and Crusader: No Remorse.
- Noah Feinler: American actor, writer, and producer known for his roles in television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Office.
- Katherine Feinler: American director, producer, and screenwriter known for her work on the films Little Women and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
- Josh Feinler: American singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist best known for his work with the band Weathervane.
- Rachel Feinler: Canadian actress best known for her leading role in the film Magic Mike XXL.
- Isabella Feinler: Israeli actress best known for her role in the television series Homeland.