Surname Schönfels - Meaning and Origin
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Schönfels: What does the surname Schönfels mean?
The last name Schönfels originated from the German-speaking region of Europe and is derived from the Old Germanic language. The name itself can be translated into English as "beautiful rock". This translation is derived from the two elements within the name: schön, meaning “beautiful,” and fels, meaning “rock.”
The name itself has been dated back to at least the 15th century. At this time it is believed to have been used as a descriptive surname or a nickname for someone. Depending on the origin, nicknames were used to describe an individual's physical attributes, personality, or habits. For example, a person might have been given a nickname of Schönfels because of his broad and stable personality, which was akin to the strength and resilience of a rock.
It can also be speculated that Schönfels may have historically been a locational or territorially derived surname. Scholars have found this to be true for other Germanic surnames, where specific places or regions were adapted as surnames. In this case, the name likely originated in an area that was particularly known for its beautiful rocks.
Regardless of its origin, the name Schönfels remains an interesting part of German heritage and a reminder of its rich cultural history. Those with this surname have a unique connection to the past, as something that has been a part of Germany for at least 500 years.
Order DNA origin analysisSchönfels: Where does the name Schönfels come from?
The last name Schönfels is a German surname that is popular in modern day Germany and other German-speaking countries. It can be found in many of the German states, around the city of Munich and Stuttgart in particular. Additionally it's quite widespread in the European region of Alsace and its neighbouring countries.
The word Schönfels is derived from the German word Schöner, which means “beautiful”. It first appeared in Germany between the 13th and 14th century as an occupational name for someone who worked in a wood, and was later used to refer to someone who lived in or near a wooded area.
The earliest record of the name in its modern spelling came from the city of Augsburg in the 16th century. During the 1800s, its popularity continued to grow. It declined in the later 20th century, though it is still widely used in many parts of Germany.
Elsewhere, the name is spelled in various ways, such as Schonfels, Schönfelds, Schonfeld and Schonfelssen. This name can also be found in countries such as Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the Americas, where German immigrants or descendants of German immigrants can still be found today.
Variations of the surname Schönfels
The surname Schönfels is a German surname that means 'beautiful rock'. It is a topographic surname that was used to describe someone who lived near a distinctive rock or boulder. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this surname are as follows:
Schonfels: This is probably the most common spelling variant of the surname. It is found in both Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria and Switzerland.
Schoenfels: This is a less common variant of the surname. It is primarily found in the United States.
Schonfeld: This is another spelling variant of Schonfels. It is primarily found in Germany.
Schenfel: This is another German variant of the surname.
Schonfeldt: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in the United States.
Schonefeld: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in Germany.
Schonender: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in Germany.
Schonfield: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in the United States.
Sconfels: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in the United Kingdom.
Schanfeld: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in Germany.
Schanfeldt: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in the United States.
Schanfels: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in Germany.
Schanfield: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in the United States.
Schainfield: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in the United States.
Schantzfels: This is a variant of the surname that is primarily found in Germany.
Related surnames of the same origin include Schwenkfelt, Schwenkfel, Schwenkfeld, Lanka, and Lengefeld.
Famous people with the name Schönfels
- Manuel Schönfels: German theater, film and television actor who achieved fame appearing in the TV series 'Gute Zeiten, Schlechte Zeiten'.
- Lars Schönfels: German artist, lecturer and author who made abstract sculptural installations out of acrylic glass in different shapes and sizes.
- Leo Schönfels: German World War II fighter pilot who achieved the rank of Oberleutnant.
- Ulf Schönfels: German experimental physicist and professor at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research.
- Sabine Schönfels: German singer and pop star who was a prominent figure in the Munich music scene in the late 1970s.
- Thomas Schönfels: German writer whose works include 'The Money isGood' and 'The Count of Monte Cristo'.
- Max Schönfels: German photojournalist and documentary filmmaker who was active during the interwar period and beyond.
- Robert Schönfels: German film director, producer, and screenwriter who has worked in cinema, television and on the stage over the course of his career.
- Kitty Schönfels: German actress who rose to fame with roles in the drama series 'SOKO Leipzig' and the comedies 'Seelen' and 'Mayday'.
- Bernd Schönfels: German visual artist who has created modern art work has been part of both solo and collective exhibitions in Europe.