Surname Hellfayer - Meaning and Origin
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Hellfayer: What does the surname Hellfayer mean?
The last name Hellfayer is of English origin and is thought to have been derived from an Old English personal name—Healfhere—which is comprised of two elements. The first element, “half,” is from Old English “healf,” meaning “half” in the sense of “side” or “division.” The second element, “fara,” is from the Old English “feara,” meaning “traveler.” Together, these two elements suggest a meaning of “traveling on one side or in one direction.”
In England, Hellfayer is typically found in the Midlands, especially in East Anglia and Northamptonshire. During the Middle Ages, Hellfayer was a place name for a homestead in Essex. The Hellfayer family is thought to have originated from this place.
Today, the name Hellfayer is best known for being associated with the English rock band, Judas Priest, who took their name from a song on their 1976 album called “Victim of Changes,” which contains the lyrics “From down Hellfayer they did ride.” This reference to Hellfayer has been interpreted to mean that the band’s namesake, Judas, was traveling on an evil mission. The family name is also found in the United States, most likely due to immigration in the 19th century.
Order DNA origin analysisHellfayer: Where does the name Hellfayer come from?
The last name Hellfayer is primarily found in the German-speaking regions of Europe. Most notably, bearers of this surname originate from countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This surname is common throughout much of Germany, with some variants, including Helfaint, Helfheinz, and Helfhainer, also found in regions of Austria. In the US, the Hellfayer surname is found mostly among individuals of German descent, with the highest concentration in Pennsylvania.
Many bearers of this surname have been recorded in the US immigration records. Between 1840 and 1920, hundreds of individuals bearing the Hellfayer name migrated to the United States from Germany, Austria, and other parts of Central Europe. Among the first to arrive was Franz Hellfayer, who migrated to New York City with his family in 1860.
By the 20th century, many of the individuals bearing the Hellfayer name had moved to other states, including Texas, California, and Michigan. Today, the Hellfayer surname is still found in the US and in various parts of Germany, where it is one of the most common surnames.
Variations of the surname Hellfayer
The surname Hellfayer has several variants, spellings, and other surnames that are derived from the same origin.
One variant of the surname Hellfayer is Halperin, which is derived from a place in Germany called Halperin that was originally in East Prussia. Other variants include Halberger, Halprin, Halpriner, Helperin, Helprin, Hellprin, Hilperin, Hilprin, Hollerperin, Holperin, and Holprin.
The surnames Helfer, Helferich, Heller, Hellerman, Helper, Hellfechtel, Hellfere, Hellfeld, Helffrich, Hellgrove, Hellkuhle, Hellman, Helman, and Hellmann are all derived from the old Germanic first name "Heldefrid," which means "brave peace." The variant spelling of "Heldfride" can also be seen in some records.
Other surnames that have the same origin are Halff, Halfter, Halfte, Hellfer, Hellfish, Hellig, Hellier, Hellmuth, Hilferding, Hellmuth, and Hulphery.
The surname Hellfayer is extremely rare and can be found in records from Germany, the United States, and other countries. The many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin can be very helpful in genealogical research, especially to those researching their family history.
Famous people with the name Hellfayer
- Christian Hellfayer: Austrian professional footballer
- Barb Hellfayer: American singer and songwriter
- Karin Hellfayer: Swiss film actress
- Leon Hellfayer: Former French politician
- Yvette Hellfayer: French businesswoman
- Jean-Claude Hellfayer: Poker dealer and professional gambler
- Louis Hellfayer: French sculptor
- Jules Hellfayer: French painter
- Martha Hellfayer: American Portrait Painter
- Gisèle Hellfayer: French Actress and Painter