Surname Manteufel - Meaning and Origin

Manteufel: What does the surname Manteufel mean?

The surname Manteufel is of German origin, derived from the combination of two German words: "Mantel" means "cloak" or "coat", and "Teufel" means "devil". Thus, the direct translation of the name Manteufel could be "Devil's cloak" or "Devil's coat". It is considered to be a nickname or occupational surname, possibly given to someone who either made or wore a distinctive coat, or someone who played the part of the devil in a medieval play. The surname could also possibly be a moniker given to individuals known for their mischievous or tricky nature. Despite its literal devilish translation, it does not necessarily imply any evil or sinister characteristics; during the time when surnames were being formed, religious and supernatural imagery was often used symbolically. The surname Manteufel is quite rare, and you can find bearers of this surname mostly in Germany.

Manteufel: Where does the name Manteufel come from?

The surname Manteufel is of German origin. The name draws its roots from the nobility in Germany and is related closely with old teutonic history. The name “Manteufel” translates as “devil’s hand” in German which may suggest it was originally given as a nickname. Notably, a branch of the Manteufel family held a feudal manor in Livonia (modern-day Latvia and Estonia) during the Middle Ages, which led to the establishment of the Baltic-German nobility family von Manteuffel.

Today, the surname is relatively rare, but can still be found amongst individuals and families in Germany and surrounding areas. It has dispersed over time and can be found in various countries around the world, especially in communities with German ancestry such as in the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, due to its rarity, it is not particularly common anywhere.

Variations of the surname Manteufel

The surname Manteufel is believed to have originated from the Germanic regions. Variants of the surname Manteufel may include Mantefel, Manteuffel, Mantoufel, Mantufel, Mentefel, Mentefell, Mentefelle, and Mentteufel.

Potential spelling alterations could include similar sounding surnames like Mantufell, Manteuful, Manteuffell, Mantteufel, Mantouffel, Mantiufel, Mantiefel, or Mantieufel.

However, it's important to note that name spellings can have been changed over time, also due to migration and transliteration between different alphabets, such as from Cyrillic into Latin, while others may have changed due to typographical errors or personal preference.

It's also possible that different families with the surname Manteufel might not be related, as the surname could have been adopted by different people independently due to its meaning or association. For example, in certain cases, families might have adopted the surname Manteufel because it signifies a geographic landmark or feature in the area they lived in.

Additionally, the lack of standardisation in early records may have led to different branches of the same family adopting slightly different spellings of the surname.

Famous people with the name Manteufel

• Matthew Manteufel: An American professional mixed martial artist who is currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
• Johan Manteufel: Norwegian police officer and Union Party politician; chosen as the mayor of Stavanger for a period of four years.
• Bartolomeo Manteufel: German painter known for his landscapes, especially for views of the countryside of Pomerania.
• Gabriel Manteufel: German actor and film director from Berlin.
• Carl Manteufel: American architect who was one of the first to introduce skyscrapers to the Midwest.
• Rudolf Manteufel: German sociologist and historian who wrote the highly noted work “Sociology of Punishment”.
• Bernard Manteufel: German art historian and theologian who published works on religious art.
• Angelo Manteufel: German diplomat, politician and diplomat; served as foreign minister of Germany from 1965-1969.
• Marina Manteufel: American television producer and director best known for her work on Star Trek and Murder, She Wrote.
• Richard Manteufel: French painter renowned for his live figure drawings which were typically done in black and white.

Other surnames

Manteuffel