Surname Hirschfeld - Meaning and Origin

“Discovering My Roots with iGENEA DNA Test: The Hirschfeld Chronicles”

Taking a journey through time, tracing roots, and meeting genetic cousins; that’s what my experience with the iGENEA DNA test was all about, with the special exploration of my surname, Hirschfeld.

U. Hirschfeld

Hirschfeld: What does the surname Hirschfeld mean?

The surname Hirschfeld is of German origin and is primarily used by Jewish families. It is a toponymic surname, derived from the geographical location where the family lived. The name can be broken down into two parts: 'Hirsch' and 'feld'. 'Hirsch' in German means 'deer' or 'stag', and 'feld' stands for 'field' or 'meadow'. Therefore, this surname essentially translates to 'deer field' or 'stag meadow'. This suggests that the original bearers of the Hirschfeld surname likely lived or worked in an area populated by deer, or where deer were hunted. The surname is quite popular among Ashkenazi Jews. Like many surnames of this nature, it is likely to have been adopted during the period in the Middle Ages when laws required or encouraged Jewish families to adopt fixed hereditary surnames. However, it is important to note that surnames can have multiple derivations, and the origins explained here may not apply to all families with the Hirschfeld surname.

Hirschfeld: Where does the name Hirschfeld come from?

The surname Hirschfeld originates from Germany. The name is derived from two German words: "Hirsch," which means deer, and "Feld," meaning field. Thus, it translates approximately to "deer field." It's a topographic surname which was used to refer to someone living in or near a field where deer were often found.

Today, Hirschfeld is most common in Germany and the United States, especially in states with notable German immigrant populations such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Furthermore, the name can also be found among Ashkenazi Jews, who have German roots. Despite its clear Germanic origin, the distribution of Hirschfeld has become global due to diaspora and migration, so it can be found in varying concentrations in various parts of the world. The name remains less common compared to many other surnames and is usually an indicator of either German or Jewish ancestry.

Variations of the surname Hirschfeld

The surname Hirschfeld originates from the German language where "Hirsch" means deer and "Feld" means field. It is an occupational or habitational name often given to those who lived near a field where deers roamed or for deerkeepers.

The various spellings and variants of Hirschfeld can include Hirschfield, Herschfeld, Herschfield, Hirshfeld, Hirschfeldt, Hershfelt, Hirschfelder, and Hürschfeld. It may also be anglicized to Deerfield. Some surnames of similar origin can include other German surnames that combine "Hirsch" with other geographic features like Hirschberg (deer mountain) or Hirschhorn (deer corner).

It's important to note that the variation in the spelling of the surname may occur due to regional dialects, translation between languages and even simple mistakes in the records. Jewish (Ashkenazic) bearers of this surname often adopted it in the 18th and 19th centuries as an ornamental name.

In some cases, the surname may have been changed slightly upon immigration to different countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, among others. This, in some cases has led to simpler or anglicized versions of the surname.

Famous people with the name Hirschfeld

• Al Hirschfeld, American caricaturist and author
• Nina Hirschfeld, German television presenter
• Kerstin Hirschfeld, German singer-songwriter
• Some Hirschfeld, American professor and mathematician
• Thomas Hirschfeld, German sailor
• Eduard Hirschfeld, German-born American rabbi
• Franz Hirschfeld, Austrian physician
• August Hirschfeld, German lawyer
• Arthur Hirschfeld, German-American businessman
• Harry Hirschfeld, German film director
• Robert Hirschfeld, German computer scientist
• Hugo Hirschfeld, German physician
• Wilhelm Hirschfeld, German sociologist
• Leo Hirschfeld, German-American psychiatrist
• Albert Hirschfeld, Austrian politician
• Emile Hirschfeld, Austrian tennis player
• Kurt Hirschfeld, German military officer
• Günter Hirschfeld, German scholar
• Helma Hirschfeld-Potter, German-American travel photographer
• Tony Hirschfeld, Scottish footballer

Other surnames

HirschfelderHirschfeldtHirschfield