Feld History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Germany

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The German surname Feld emerged in the lands that formed the powerful German state of Prussia, which at one time was an immense German territory that stretched from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic sea and Poland. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the German territories were inhabited by a variety of Barbarian tribes. The borders of the barbarian kingdoms changed frequently, but the region that became known as Prussia was roughly divided between the areas of Brandenburg-Prussia, West Prussia, and East Prussia. Brandenburg-Prussia was essentially the birthplace of modern Germany. By the 19th century, Brandenburg-Prussia had incorporated East Prussia, West Prussia and many other German territories. Moreover, in the late 19th century, it led the German states in the unification of Germany.

Early Origins of the Feld family

The surname Feld was first found in East and West Prussia, where the name contributed greatly to the development of an emerging nation which would later play a large role in the tribal and national conflicts of the area. In later years the name branched into many houses, each playing a significant role in the local social and political affairs.

Early History of the Feld family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feld research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1698, 1839 and 1869 are included under the topic Early Feld History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feld Spelling Variations

Many cultural groups lived in the German states in medieval times. Each had its own dialect and traditions, and unique variations of popular names. Low German, which is similar to contemporary Dutch, was spoken in Westphalia. German names are characterized by additions such as regional suffixes and phrases that tell something about the origin or background of its original bearer. Further contributing to the variation in German names was the fact that there were no spelling rules in medieval times: scribes recorded names according to their sound. The recorded spelling variations of Feld include Feld, Felde, Fellde, Felder, Fellder, Felden and others.

Early Notables of the Feld family

Notable figures of the time with the name Feld were

Franz Felder (1839-1869), who was a self-taught Austrian author of humble peasant stock

Feld Ranking

In the United States, the name Feld is the 11,388^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Feld migration to the United States +

The state of Prussia was a great influence on the shape of modern Germany. After the Second World War, Prussia's land was divided among the Soviet Union, Poland, East Germany and West Germany and the state was abolished. Some Prussians remained in those countries after the war, while many others migrated to North America in search of a new start. Philadelphia was their primary point of entry to the United States, after which many of them moved on to Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. A large number of Prussians also migrated to Ontario and the prairie provinces as United Empire Loyalists. Analysis of immigration records has shown some of the first Felds to arrive in North America, and among them were:

Feld Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Jo Feld, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 2
Tho Feld, aged 18, who arrived in Isla de Providencia in 1635 aboard the ship "Expectation" 2

Feld Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Albrech Feld, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1737 2
George Feld, who landed in New York, NY in 1782 2

Feld Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Feld, aged 30, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1845 2
Herm Heinrick Feld, aged 36, who arrived in Missouri in 1848 2
Maria Feld, aged 11, who landed in New Orleans, La in 1848 2
Miss Feld, who landed in North America in 1848 2
Anna Katharina Feld, aged 31, who arrived in America in 1872 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Feld migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Feld Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Johann Feld, aged 26, a farm labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Golden Sea" in 1874

Contemporary Notables of the name Feld (post 1700) +

Nicholas Feld (b. 1915), American career diplomat
Irvin Feld (1918-1984), American promoter and long time owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Eliot Feld (b. 1942), American dancer and choreographer
Sylvan Feld, American fighter pilot and flying ace in the U.S. Army Air Forces, during World War II, credited with 9 aerial victories
Nicholas Feld, American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Zurich, 1939; Madras, 1943 3
Liz Feld, American Republican politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 37th District, 2008 3
Benjamin L. Feld, American politician, Candidate for New York State Senate 3rd District, 1962 3
Aaron Spencer Feld (1891-1987), American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly from New York County 23rd District, 1925-26 3
Bernard Feld (b. 1919), who as a physicist worked on the Manhattan Project during the Second World War
Jindøich Feld (1925-2007), Czech composer