Surname Unterfeld - Meaning and Origin
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Unterfeld: What does the surname Unterfeld mean?
The last name Unterfeld is of Germanic origin and is believed to have first originated in southwestern Germany. The literal translation of Unterfeld is "lower field" which implies that the family likely resided near or in a lower-lying countryside field.
Historically, many families that carried the name Unterfeld were farmers, although many were of the artisan class. As the family moved to other parts of Europe, they continued their occupations and adopted different versions of the name, such as Underfield, Underwood, and Undershaft.
The earliest records of the Unterfeld name date back to the 1600s in the city of Ulm in southwest Germany. From there, the Unterfeld name spread to Prussia and Poland, before making its way to the United States.
Today, the Unterfeld name continues to be found primarily in the United States, though individuals with the last name can still be found in parts of Europe. Descended from individuals of both rural and urban backgrounds, Unterfelds today have adapted to many different professions, from finance to education.
The Unterfeld name remains a reminder of the family's hardworking German heritage, and the fortitude it took to make a new life in a new land.
Order DNA origin analysisUnterfeld: Where does the name Unterfeld come from?
The last name Unterfeld is most commonly found among Jewish families from the German-speaking regions of Austria, Hungary, and primarily Germany. The German term “Unter” translates to “below” or “under”, while “feld” translates as “field”. This leads some to believe that the Unterfeld name has its origins in naming conventions that could date back to the Middle Ages when Germanic tribes roamed Europe.
Today, the name Unterfeld is found in many parts of the world, including North America and South America, South Africa, Israel, and elsewhere. The largest concentrations are typically found in Europe, with the highest population concentrations in Germany, Austria, Austria-Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The name is also common in the Israel, particularly among Israeli-born German and Hungarian Jews.
In the United States, the last name Unterfeld is common in some areas of the Midwest and Northeast. Those immigrants of Jewish heritage who arrived prior to World War II may be more likely to carry the name, but the name is not exclusive to those of German-Jewish descent. Those from other European countries, like the Netherlands, and other immigrants from around the world could potentially carry the last name. Some may have changed the name upon arrival to the U.S. or changed it head of passage to better “fit in” with the local population. Today, many Americans who carry the name Unterfeld could have a diverse mix of ancestral backgrounds.
Variations of the surname Unterfeld
The surname Unterfeld is of German origin, and can be derived from the Middle High German word “unterveld” which means “sub-field” or “lower field”. Variants and spellings of the surname Unterfeld include Unterveld, Unterfeldt, Unterfelt, Unterfelth, Untorfelt, and Untorfelt. This surname is also found in many other countries and cultures where German immigrants have settled such as the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
Variants of the spelling in other countries include Unterveldt, Unterfeldt, Unterfelt, Unterfelth, Untorfelt, Untorfelt, and Underfelt, as well as many other variations. Other surnames that share a similar etymology to Unterfeld are Underhill, Unterheim, Underheim, Unterhalter, Understand, Underwood, and Untereiner.
The Unterfeld surname is found in many records, including occupational records, church records, and military and immigration records. It is often found in records associated with occupations such as farming and milling and other agricultural roles. Various family coat of arms have been recorded for this surname as well. The main meaning associated with the Unterfeld surname is related to the rural and agricultural life in Germany.
Famous people with the name Unterfeld
- Joel Unterfeld: American guitarist and actor. He has been a member of the bands Mink, District 97, and Box of Fish. He is also a voice-over artist who voices the character internationally for the Lego Ninjago franchise.
- Nick Unterfeld: American technical and product designer and founder of Unterfeld Design. He has invented the world’s first vibrating ski boot in partnership with Rossignol and the world’s first four-wheeled urban character-building skateboard.
- Marc Unterfeld: American film and television director. He has worked with various networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS and SpikeTV. He has directed music videos for Elton John, Miley Cyrus and Justin Moore.
- Joseph Unterfeld: American actor. He’s appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including ‘At The Beach’ (2015) and ‘The Truth’ (2014).
- Olivia Unterfeld: American voice-over and commercial actress.
- Peter Unterfeld: American composer and arranger who is known for his work in feature films and television scores as well as his Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre/musical works.
- Julian Unterfeld: American animator and visual effects artist. His film credits include ‘Fantasticanology’ (2017), ‘Gundam 00: A Wakening of the Trailblazer’ (2010) and ‘Monsters at War’ (2006).