Show ContentsFeist History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Feist family

The surname Feist was first found in Austria, 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 social, economic and political affairs. The name was taken from St. Veit (in Latin, Vitus) who was the patron saint protecting against fire and lightning.

Early History of the Feist family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Feist research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1774 is included under the topic Early Feist History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feist Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Veith, Veit, Veidt, Veid, Vietsch, Feidt, Feit, Veitl, Veitel, Vaith and many more.

Early Notables of the Feist family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Feist were Joseph Veith, who was a prominent librarian in Tyrol. Isak Veith was an eminent doctor and physician in Hall, and...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Feist Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Feist Ranking

In the United States, the name Feist is the 12,640th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


Feist migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Feist Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johann Georg Feist, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1751 2
Feist Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Lawrence Feist, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1876 2
  • Lorenz Feist, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1876 2
Feist Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Morris Feist, who arrived in Arkansas in 1905 2

Feist migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Feist Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century
  • Valentin Feist, aged 19, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1902

Contemporary Notables of the name Feist (post 1700) +

  • Gene Feist (1923-2014), American playwright, theatre director and co-founder of the Roundabout Theater Company
  • Felix Ellison Feist (1910-1965), American film and television director
  • Raymond Elias Feist (b. 1945), American fantasy fiction author
  • Roberta Feist, American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Kansas State Senate 30th District, 2000 3
  • Joseph Feist, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1940 3
  • Admiral Rainer Feist (1945-2007), German Navy officer, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR) in NATO
  • Walter Feist, German five-time gold medalist luger
  • Sigmund Feist (1865-1943), German Jewish pedagogue and historical linguist
  • Mark J. Feist (b. 1970), Australian multi-platinum producer/songwriter


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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