Show ContentsSchoenfelder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The German state of Silesia is the glorious birthplace of the distinguished surname Schoenfelder. In the medieval era, Germany was fragmented and inhabited by numerous Barbarian tribes, who fought amongst themselves for control of the land. The ancient dukedom of Silesia derived its name from the Germanic tribe named the Silingers, who occupied Silesia between the 2nd and the 6th centuries.

Early Origins of the Schoenfelder family

The surname Schoenfelder was first found in Saxony, where the name was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in economic, political, and in particular military affairs.

Early History of the Schoenfelder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Schoenfelder research. Another 180 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1260, 1594, 1609, 1648, 1684, 1739, 1788, 1793 and 1870 are included under the topic Early Schoenfelder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Schoenfelder Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Schoenfeld, Schoenfelder, Schonfelder, Schoenfeldt, Schonfeld and many more.

Early Notables of the Schoenfelder family

Prominent bearers of the family name Schoenfelder at this time were

  • Johann Georg Schoenfelder, pastor of Fischamend, and his brothers Johann Moritz Schoenberger, Doctor of Medicine, and Georg Heinrich Schoenberger, Doctor of Law, who were all ennobled in 1739


United States Schoenfelder migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Schoenfelder Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Alfred Schoenfelder, aged 48, who immigrated to the United States, in 1895
Schoenfelder Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Pauline Schoenfelder, aged 3, who immigrated to the United States, in 1909
  • K. Schoenfelder, aged 39, who landed in America, in 1922
  • Knut Schoenfelder, aged 40, who immigrated to the United States, in 1922
  • William Schoenfelder, aged 23, who immigrated to America, in 1923
  • Richard Schoenfelder, aged 30, who landed in America from Bruecksteine, Germany, in 1924
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Schoenfelder (post 1700) +

  • Laska Schoenfelder, American Republican politician, Member of South Dakota public utilities commission; Elected 1994 1
  • Manfred Schönfelder (1912-1983), German Obersturmbannführer (lieutenant colonel) in the Waffen-SS during World War II, recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
  • Friedrich Schoenfelder (1916-2011), German actor and voice artist
  • Gerd Schönfelder (b. 1970), German sixteen-time gold medalist alpine skier, one of the most decorated in history
  • Rainer Schönfelder (b. 1977), Austrian silver and two-time bronze medalist skier, winner of the 2003-2004 men's World Cup slalom title
  • Olivier Schoenfelder (b. 1977), French three-time gold, two-time silver and bronze medalist ice dancer


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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