Surname Hirschenfeld - Meaning and Origin
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Hirschenfeld: What does the surname Hirschenfeld mean?
The last name Hirschenfeld is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname originating in the Central and Eastern European region of Jewry. The root of the name comes from the Yiddish word Hirsh, which translates to stag or deer in English, while feld translates to field. Taken together, this signifies a place or area where the stag or deer (Hirsh) is found. The surname could have been given to a family who owned land with a natural deer population, or who lived near a field where deer were hunted or bred.
This is a very old surname and is believed to have been in use at least as early as the 1200s. As with many Jewish surnames, Hirschenfeld was adopted from more common regional words or phrases (in this case, the German and Yiddish words Hirsh and feld). It may be derived from the German “hirschfeld”, meaning literally “field of deer”, or “forester of the deer”.
The Hirschenfeld descendants likely inhabited areas throughout Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Belarus prior to immigrating to various other countries in the 1700s and 1800s. Today, Hirschenfeld can be found in all parts of the world, as it has been during each successive wave of Jewish immigration over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisHirschenfeld: Where does the name Hirschenfeld come from?
The surname Hirschenfeld is most commonly found in Germany today. It is a German-Jewish surname that originates from the German word "hirsch," meaning deer, and "feld," meaning field. It likely comes from an ancestor's topographic origin and indicates a place that once contained a lot of deer.
Hirschenfeld can be found in Berlin and many other areas of Germany. In some areas there are quite a few people with this surname. This suggests that early on the family clustered around the same area in Germany. The Hirschenfelds may have also moved to other regions in Europe.
There are some Hirschenfelds in the United States today as well. Many emigrated to the United States from Germany in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The surname is mainly found in the Northeastern and Midwest states, but can also be found throughout the country.
There are Hirschenfelds in other countries, too. Jewish emigrants moved around the world, and Hirschenfelds can be found in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Israel, and elsewhere.
In all, the Hirschenfeld surname is usually relatively rare today. It is mainly found in Germany and its descendants and can also be found in the United States, United Kingdom, and other countries around the globe.
Variations of the surname Hirschenfeld
The surname Hirschenfeld has different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variations are Herschenfeld, Herschenfeldt, Herschfeld, Hirschfield, Hirschenfels, and Hirshfeld. Other versions of the same family name can include Hirschenfel, Hirschenfeller, Hirschfeld, Hirschenfelser, Herschfel, Hirschfeldt, Herschfelser, and Hertzfeld.
The surname Hirschenfeld is of German-Jewish origin, originating in the region of Prussia. It is derived from the Middle High German “hirs”, meaning “swamp”, and “feld”, meaning “field”. The name is believed to have evolved from a topographical name for someone who lived in a swampy area, or a habitational name for a person from a place called Hirschenfeld.
The coat of arms for the Hirschenfeld surname is a lion facing to the right on a green background. The crest is a crowned lion on the same background of green. This coat of arms was likely derived from the arms of the Prussian Province of East Prussia where the family was from.
The precise historical origin of the Hirschenfeld surname is unknown, but it is believed to have originated in the 15th century. It is sung in documents from the area around the city of Tarnow in southern Poland and is found in Torah records from the area as well.
The Hirschenfeld name is found in many different countries around the world including the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, the UK, South Africa, Israel, Australia, and even New Zealand. The descendants of this family are found in both Jewish and non-Jewish communities and speak many different languages including English, Yiddish, Polish, German, and Hebrew.
Famous people with the name Hirschenfeld
- William Hirschenfeld: An American photographer who has won a number of honors for his accomplishments, including the Leica Medal of Excellence.
- Emilio Hirschenfeld: A Spanish-born composer, performer, conductor, and educator. He has been the recipient of numerous awards, including two prestigious National Hispanic Heritage Awards.
- Gustave Hirschenfeld: An American artist, sculptor, and educator who is famous for his large scale, realistic statues and busts. He also co-founded the Hirschenfeld Museum of Art in Aventura, Florida.
- Roberto Hirschenfeld: An Argentinian film director, cinematographer, and producer known for his work in documentaries, television series, and feature films.
- Dawid Hirschenfeld: A Polish Jewish sculptor and songwriter who rose to fame in the early 20th century. He was influenced by classical Greek and Roman art, and he was a master of many genres including theatre, opera, and musical theatre.
- Eleonora Hirschenfeld: An American interior designer and businesswoman. She is most famous for her luxury interior design work for high-end clientele.
- André Hirschenfeld: A French graphic designer whose work was heavily influenced by the principles of graphic design established by Swiss artists.
- Yvette Hirschenfeld: A French author and poet known for her works of fantasy. She is associated with the feminist fantasy fiction genre.
- Jeffery Hirschenfeld: An American jazz guitarist, composer, arranger, and producer. He has released a number of solo albums and contributed to a variety of other recordings.
- Uwe Hirschenfeld: A German actor and singer best known for his appearances on stage productions and television shows in Europe.