Surname Fingscheid - Meaning and Origin

Fingscheid: What does the surname Fingscheid mean?

The last name Fingscheid is of German origin and is derived from the Middle German word ‘fing’, meaning ‘bend’ or ‘curved’, and ‘scheit’, meaning ‘shield’. It is believed that the original bearer of the name was a maker of curved shields for armor and protection in battle.

Through time, the surname may have spread in a variety of ways, with different spellings as it changed in different regions and countries. Today, there are variants of the Fingscheid, including Fingsheid, Feinzcheidt, Finschidt, Fincheidt and Finchett.

Fingscheid is an uncommon surname, but is one of the oldest and most prestigious in Germany. It is thought to be the first recorded German surname, with the earliest record of a bearer occurring in 1289 as Henricus Fingscheid. Since then, it has been used across Europe and even in the US, with a handful of American citizens bearing the Fingscheid name.

Those who bear the name today usually do it with deep pride and honor, as the Fingscheid surname has some rich history and traditions, especially in Germany. One of these is an annual 'Fingscheid' festival in Germany, which offers a chance to learn about the history of the surname and celebrate it with the rest of the Fingscheid's.

Fingscheid: Where does the name Fingscheid come from?

The Fingscheid surname is most commonly associated with Belgium and its surrounding countries. It has been recorded in the regions of the former Dutchy of Limburg, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and in the neighboring German states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate since at least the 16th Century. The name is thought to have originated from the village of Fingscheid near the city of Trier in Germany, although some believe it may have been derived from a place name with unknown origins originating in the aforementioned regions.

In more recent times, the surname has been carried to other countries due to emigration. People with the surname Fingscheid have been recorded in The Netherlands, France, Canada, the United States, and Australia. Here it is more uncommon, but it is still found among both first- and second-generation descendants of those who have adopted the name living in large cities and rural areas, all of whom likely have ties to their family’s original homeland.

In terms of population size, the surname is most commonly found in the Low Countries, specifically in Belgium. This is likely due to the fact that this part of the world is where the earliest recorded Fingscheids can be found and where the majority of the population with the surname still lives today. This is true for the other countries mentioned earlier as well, with many Fingscheids living in rural areas and large cities alike.

Variations of the surname Fingscheid

The surname Fingscheid is a German surname that originates from the region of Northern Germany. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Fingscheid include Fingschied, Finkscheid, Fingsched, Fingsheid, Finksheed, Fingschaid, Finkskheid, Finkskeid, Finkskaid, Fingksheid, Fingkskeid, Fingkskaid, Finkksheid, Finkkskeid, Finkkskaid, and Fintschkeid.

The surname Fingscheid is derived from the words ‘fing’, which means ‘dwelling of’, and ‘Scheid’, which is a form of the word ‘Schied’, which means ‘part division’. Thus, the name is thought to indicate a geographical location, probably a town, village, or a demarcation point between two districts.

In some instances, it may also have originated from the name of a place where the family settled. The name could have also been formed by combination of two different words from the German language, both of which have the same root meaning.

While the surname Fingscheid is unique, there are other websites about the surname and its variants. These sites provide information about its etymology, the origin, diseases associated with the surname, and the countries where the name is most common.

It is important to note that the surname Fingscheid is a rare one and is, therefore, difficult to find in records. However, it is likely that one will find references to the surname in old documents, such as census records, land deeds, and parish registers, among others. With more research, one can find more information about their ancestors with the Fingscheid surname.

Famous people with the name Fingscheid

• Kurt Fingscheidt: a German handball player and coach.
• Anna Fingscheidt: a German film director and screenwriter.
• Thomas Fingscheidt: a German cinematographer.
• Richard Fingscheidt: former German politician.
• Madeline Fingscheidt: a host, reporter, and producer for Fox Sports Detroit.
• Peter Fingscheidt: a former executive at Volkswagen.
• Ernst Fingscheidt: a German network architect and information scientist.
• Detlef Fingscheidt: a German volleyball player.
• Jürgen Fingscheidt: a German neuroscientist and doctor of medicine.
• Susanne Fingscheidt: a German environmental scientist.

Other surnames

Fingscheidt